Two fiercest rivals from Kolkata, East Bengal and Mohun Bagan meet in a dream final of the Durand Cup 2023.
Both sides made remarkable comebacks in their semi-final outing, the Red and Gold overturning a two-goal deficit at the last minute of the game while the Mariners won 2-1 against FC Goa after going down in the first half.
EBFC vs MBSG Match Details
Date: Sunday, 03 September 2023
Time: 16:00 (IST)
Venue: Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata
EBFC vs MBSG Match Preview
2-0 down against NorthEast United in the semi-finals of the Durand Cup with half an hour to go, East Bengal turned their fortune in a remarkable fashion scoring a late equalizer through Nandha Kumar’s header after Mahesh’s deflected shot pulled one back in the 77th minute. The match entered the penalties which the Red and Gold won 5-3 to progress to the final. The shootout was not without drama as Parthib Gogoi hit the crossbar after a retake of the penalty which was saved by Prabhsukhan Gill. The miss became decisive in the end. The manner of the victory is sure to give spirit to the team for the showpiece ahead but some of the excitement was dampened by alleged racism and abusive incidents in the stands. Looking at the positives, East Bengal have the chance now to clinch their first major silverware in 11 years and against their arch-rivals Mohun Bagan whom they beat earlier in the group stages. The outcome was the same when these two last met in Durand Cup in 2004 so historically and statistically, Carles Cuadrat’s men edge in this battle staying unbeaten so far as well. However, it will be a novice step for them to think about past results as Mohun Bagan are motivated to change the outcome last time out and wants to stir one clear in the title count of this competition, joint record-holders with 16 Durand Cup honours to their name.
Trailing by Noah Sadaoui’s strike from a mistake by Hugo Boumous in their own half, Mohun Bagan got back into the game from a controversial penalty call before the half-time break. Australian striker Jason Cummings converted from the spot for the third consecutive game while his strike partner Armando Sadiku, coming off the bench in the match, scored a screamer to win it for the Mariners in the second half. Vishal Kaith also got back his form by making a crucial save in stoppage time to help his team see out the match professionally. Taking a far harder route than their rivals by beating top sides like Mumbai City and FC Goa to reach their 29th final and having fewer days to recover, Mohun Bagan looks to defy all odds to win the trophy. They will be seeking revenge for their 1-0 group stage loss last time out and would like to overturn their record of not winning their last three Durand Cup final appearance. One of which is that 2004 loss to their rivals. The Green and Maroons have not won this trophy since 2000, coming close last time in 2019. With no other competition in close proximity to save their energy for, the approach will be far more serious for the ISL Champions this time. A win in the final will give them a bag full of confidence for the league and AFC Cup campaign ahead.
EBFC vs MBSG Team News
Emami East Bengal are without midfielder Souvik Chakraborty for the crucial final due to suspension. Edwin Vanspaul is tipped to start in his place while Borja Herrera will also restire himself in the starting eleven. Scorer of the semifinal winner and also the hero in the derby last time, Nandha Kumar will begin at the right flank. Cleiton Silva will offer his impact from the bench again after grabbing the assist for the winner in the previous game.
Mohun Bagan Super Giants could make some changes to their starting eleven as well keeping in mind they played a lot of games in a short span of time with limited time for recovery. Manvir Singh could come back into the starting eleven along with Armando Sadiku. Both began from the bench against Goa and are raring to go again. The team could revert back to a three in the defence with Anwar Ali, Hector Yuste and Subhasish Bose’s solidity conceding just three goals in the tournament.
EBFC vs MBSG Predicted Lineup
EBFC: Prabhsukhan Gill; Harmanjot Khabra, Lalchungnunga, Jordan Elsey, Nishu Kumar; Borja Herrera, Saul Crespo, Edwin Vanspaul; Nandha Kumar, Javier Siverio, Naorem Mahesh
MBSG: Vishal Kaith; Anwar Ali, Hector Yuste, Subhasish Bose; Manvir Singh, Sahal Abdul Samad, Anirudh Thapa, Hugo Boumous, Ashique Kuruniyan; Armando Sadiku, Jason Cummings
NUEFC vs EBFC Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Kaith (Cr - 7, Pts - 81)
DEF: N Kumar (Cr - 8, Pts - 64), Anwar (Cr - 7.5, Pts - 128), Bose (Cr - 8, Pts - 56)
MID: Sekar (Cr - 9, Pts - 101), B Herrera (Cr - 9, Pts - 72), Boumous (Cr - 7.5, Pts - 127), A Kuruniyan (Cr - 8.5, Pts - 87)
FW: Manvir (Cr - 8, Pts - 109), Siverio (Cr - 8, Pts - 97), Cummings (Cr - 8.5, Pts - 106)
Vice-captain: Nandha Kumar
Captain: Jason Cummings
