Durand Cup 2023 Final: East Bengal, Mohun Bagan eye 17th title

The stakes could not be higher in the upcoming final of the tournament.

Mohun Bagan SG and East Bengal FC will write another chapter in their long and fierce rivalry when they meet in the final of the 2023 Durand Cup on 3 September 2023 at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, West Bengal. The Kolkata derby will decide the winner of the 132nd edition of the oldest football tournament in Asia. 

It has been an incredible 2023 Durand Cup campaign and the tournament will sign off with an electrifying competition between two of the most decorated football clubs in Indian football history. The occasion cannot be bigger than this and there could be huge repercussions of the outcome of the final for the rest of the 2023-24 season for either side.

As both the Mariners and the Red & Gold Brigade prepare to clash once again at the 2023 Durand Cup after their group stage encounter earlier, here is what to look forward to from the iconic fixture:

The Stakes

Mohun Bagan SG is the favourite to win the 2023 Durand Cup and to defend their 2022-23 Indian Super League crown. The Mariners boast of an incredibly talented squad with a fabulous combination of foreign and domestic players. Expectedly, fans have huge aspirations and it adds a lot of pressure on Juan Ferrando to deliver success. Winning the trophy will give the club a huge boost for the season ahead.

East Bengal FC is determined to start its revolution with a thumping 2023 Durand Cup win. The club has acted ambitiously in the transfer market on top of acquiring the services of Carles Cuadrat. Heading into the final, EBFC is the underdog but it has all the necessary ammunition to secure the first major trophy of the 2023-24 season.

Team News

Mohun Bagan SG has a near full-strength squad available for the final. On the other hand, East Bengal FC will miss the services of Souvik Chakraborty who will be serving a suspension.

Probable Lineups

Mohun Bagan SG (4-2-3-1)

Vishal Kaith(GK), Asish Rai, Anwar Ali, Brendan Hamill, Subhasish Bose, Anirudh Thapa, Sahal Abdul Samad, Ashique Kuruniyan, Dimitri Petratos, Hugo Boumous, Jason Cummings.

East Bengal FC (4-2-3-1)

Prabhsukhan Gill(GK), Nishu Kumar, Lalchungnunga, Jordan Elsey, Mandar Rao Desai, Jose Pardo, Harmanjot Khabra, Saul Crespo, Nandhakumar Sekar, Naorem Mahesh Singh, Javier Siverio.

Head to Head (Durand Cup)

Total Matches Played - 21

Mohun Bagan SG wins - 7

East Bengal FC wins - 9

Draws - 5

Man to Watch

Jason Cummings (Mohun Bagan SG)

Jason Cummings will be the biggest threat from the Mohun Bagan SG squad which boasts of brilliant attacking players. The striker leads the forward line expertly and scored in the club’s 2-1 win over FC Goa in the final. 

The striker has already notched up two goals for his new employers and is hungry for more. It would be a mistake to leave Cummings unmarked inside the box due to his predatory instincts in the area. Carles Cuadrat must come up with a strategy to limit his influence on the final.

Naorem Mahesh Singh (East Bengal FC)

Naorem Mahesh Singh is the driving force in East Bengal FC’s attack. The wing-forward is a constant source of threat with his pace and crossing ability. He loves the stretch defenders on the flank and delivers pinpoint crosses for his strikers inside the box.

Naorem Mahesh Singh played a crucial role in scoring the first of the two goals in the semi-final against NorthEast United FC to give his team a chance of making it into the final. The 24-year-old will certainly give MBSG defenders some jittery moments during the contest.

Did You Know?

• East Bengal FC won the Durand Cup last time in 2004.
• Both East Bengal FC and Mohun Bagan SG have won the competition 16 times, the joint-highest.
• Mohun Bagan SG last won the tournament in 2000. 

Telecast

The contest between Mohun Bagan SG and East Bengal FC will be telecasted live on the Sony Sports Network. Live streaming will be available on Sony Liv and Jio TV. Kick-off is set for 4 PM IST.