Calcutta (India): Current table-toppers Mohun Bagan will take on city rivals East Bengal the I-League on Sunday as former players and coaches said that the season’s first derby is all about emotions and sentiments.
Close on the heels of their merger with Indian Super League side ATK, Bagan will hope to maintain their consistency when they take on traditional rivals East Bengal in the season’s first derby here on Sunday.
The importance of Bagan-East Bengal is still relevant in Indian football, with their matches attracting decent turnout at the Salt Lake Stadium in the past.
The domination of these clubs have ceased to exist unlike in the 1980s or 1990s, yet the derby has kept the interest of their fans alive. In fact, Bengal football’s existence depends on this high-profile match.
The Mariners has won the I-League in 2015-16 season, but East Bengal is yet to claim the top honour.
Khel Updates spoke to former stars on the future of Mohun Bagan-East Bengal derby.
Derby has an impact on Bengali society
Subrata Bhattacharya: Naturally, the derby has an impact on our society. We cannot deny that. Even if they don’t win the title, the derby’s popularity will not decline.
Monoranjan Bhattacharya: As long as Bengali football is there, the importance of Mohun Bagan-East Bengal derby will be important. The passion is sustained by this one match.
Sanjoy Sen: The love and emotions of the supporters will keep alive the derby. The game has a big impact on our lives. The excitement is less now than what it was in the 1970s, 1980s or even 1990s, it is good to see the female fans coming back to the stadium. It’s a good sign.
But the extent of its popularity depends on the All India Football Federation and the state association. If the derby is included in the ISL in future, its popularity will increase.
Difficult to keep Bengal football alive on the basis of derby
Mehtab Hussain: Bengal football will live on as long as Mohun Bagan and East Bengal match retain its popularity. There’s emotion and sentiment for the fans of both the clubs. The mood before and after the match is same as before.
Syed Rahim Nabi: The Calcutta derby has a lot of impact on everyone. The attraction will not diminish. The two teams will play in the ISL in the future, but it’s important to improve the infrastructure. It’s not possible to keep Bengal football alive just on the basis of this derby.
