ISL 2023-24: Kolkata Derby sees change in kick-off time

Due to certain unavoidable circumstances, the timing for this ISL Derby has been changed.

The upcoming Kolkata Derby in the Indian Super League (ISL) between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan will take place on Sunday (March 10) at the Salt Lake Stadium, but with a tweak in kick-off time.

It has been decided that the match will now be kicking off at 8:30 PM kick-off on Sunday, sources close to the situation have informed Khel Now. This comes after representatives of both clubs as well as the Indian Super League (ISL) organizers held meetings to come to terms on a new kick-off time after the previous one was disrupted because of a Trinamool Congress (TMC) meeting (Brigade) that has been set for the same day.

What were the other options brainstormed by the stakeholders?

A number of different solutions were brought to the table. There was initially a call for the kick-off time to be pushed back to 9 PM, which would’ve been one-and-a-half hours later than what the normal ISL matches kick off at. This was thought to be extremely late and could’ve caused a major inconvenience for the supporters.

A possible 8:15 PM kick-off was also talked about, but the parties have now agreed that the 8:30 PM slot will be the ideal one – especially for the fans. This could mean that the match will probably end at around 10:30 PM, much later than what the usual ISL matches have finished over the course of this season.

The Kolkata Derby had already been postponed earlier this season, when the first derby was pushed back to be played on 2 February – which saw Mohun Bagan and East Bengal play out an entertaining 2-2 draw. Because of the importance of this iconic match, it has been decided that this time the date will not be pushed back again and the match will take place on March 10 itself.

Mohun Bagan are currently flying high on momentum and are unbeaten under Antonio Habas, who has catapulted them back into the race for the ISL Shield. East Bengal, meanwhile, are still in the fight for a top-six finish as they aspire for their maiden ISL playoffs qualification.

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