The Kolkata Derby, also known as the Boro Match in Bengali, describes the game where the feisty rivalry between two prime Kolkata giants, Mohun Bagan, founded in 1889 and East Bengal, founded in 1920, is ignited. It is the most intense derby in Indian football and the oldest one on the Asian stage, drawing immense passion compared to derbies across the world, like the Milan derby or the El Clásico. The derby is more than a game, as the city is divided into two cultures and passionate fan bases on the day, with history and legacy going deep into the fixture. The Green and Maroons usher in the sentiments of Ghotis, or the people native to West Bengal, while the Red and Gold represent the emotions of the refugee population from across the border, making it a grand showpiece. Be it any competition, the Kolkata derby becomes the biggest occasion with the fixture now completing 104 years of its existence.
Here we look at some of the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS) about the Kolkata derby:
When was the first Kolkata derby played?
The first non-competitive Kolkata derby was played in the semifinals of the Cooch Behar Cup in 1921, which ended in a 0-0 draw. The replay was played two days later with Mohun Bagan winning it 3-0.
When was the first competitive Kolkata derby played?
The first official Kolkata derby was played on 28 May 1925 in the Calcutta Football League, where East Bengal won 1-0 with a goal from Nepal Chakravarty.
How many Kolkata derbies have been played so far, including exhibition?
There have been 406 Kolkata derbies played between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal in history across 33 competitions.
Who has won the Kolkata derby the most times?
East Bengal has won the Kolkata derby the most times, with 144 wins, 10 more than their rivals. 138 of those wins have come in competitive games, also the highest.
Which club has scored the most goals in the Kolkata derby?
East Bengal has scored the most goals in Kolkata Derby history, with 592. Their rivals, Mohun Bagan, have netted 569 times.
Which player has scored the most goals in the Kolkata derby?
Indian football icon Bhaichung Bhutia has scored the most goals in the Kolkata derby's history with 19. He netted 13 times while donning the East Bengal jersey, with six of those goals coming with Mohun Bagan.
Which foreigner has scored the most goals in the Kolkata derby?
Mohun Bagan legend, nicknamed ‘Sobuj Tota’, Jose Ramirez Barreto, has scored the most goals in the Kolkata derby history as a foreigner. He netted 17 times for the Green and Maroons, making 29 appearances in this fixture across all competitions, including netting in his fixture debut.
Who has scored the most number of hat-tricks in the Kolkata derby?
Bhaichung Bhutia holds the record for the most hat-tricks in Kolkata Derby history with two. He accomplished this feat for both clubs, making him the only player to do so in the fixture’s history.
What is the fastest goal recorded in the Kolkata derby's history?
The fastest goal recorded in the Kolkata Derby is a 17-second strike by Mohammad Akbar in Mohun Bagan's 1-0 win over East Bengal in the Calcutta Football League match played in 1976.
Which is the highest margin of victory recorded in the Kolkata derby's history?
The 5-0 IFA Shield final thrashing of Mohun Bagan in 1975 by East Bengal is the highest margin of victory recorded in the Kolkata derby's history.
Which is the highest-scoring game in the Kolkata derby's history?
Mohun Bagan defeating East Bengal 5-3 in the 2009 I-League is the highest-scoring game in the Kolkata derby's history.
Who has scored the most goals in a single Kolkata derby fixture?
Chidi Edeh scored four goals in that 5-3 victory, making him the player with the most goals in a single Kolkata derby fixture.
What is the longest winning streak in Kolkata derby history?
Mohun Bagan’s eight-game winning run from 2019 to 2023 against East Bengal is the longest winning streak in Kolkata derby history.
What is the highest ever attendance recorded in the Kolkata derby history?
The highest recorded attendance in Kolkata Derby history is 131,781 spectators, set during the 1997 Federation Cup semi-final between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. This crowd figure remains the all-time record for any sports event in India. East Bengal won the encounter 4-1 with Bhutia scoring a hat-trick.
