The 9th Hero I-league has got off to a flourishing start, with capacity crowds at Barasat (22,000) witnessing holders Mohun Bagan winning comfortably against newcomers Aizwal FC and Salgaocar. There were also jam-packed stadiums at both Shillong and Aizawl when Shillong Lajong and Aizawl FC played their home matches. Except for Goa, interest in the I-League is on the upsurge.
Match day five on Saturday will witness Indian football’s oldest and greatest rivalry, East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan. It promises to be a bonanza as it should attract a large number of spectators to Salt Lake Stadium and millions of viewers on electronic and social media. Overall it is their 17th match in the I-League. In 16 matches, Mohun Bagan have won six, East Bengal four and six were drawn. Both teams have scored 18 goals each in this derby. In the I-League, this rivalry started on December 29, 2007, when former India skipper Baichung Bhutia’s solitary 31st minute goal enabled Bagan win 1-0. Less than a month later, Bhutia’s brace helped Bagan canter to a 2-0 win.
When the teams met again in the 2nd I-League, Bhutia scored for Bagan but Syed Rahim Nabi equalised for East Bengal. On February 22, 2009, East Bengal chalked up their first win over Bagan in the I-League. It is also the biggest win till date as East Bengal won 3-0.
Several sub texts in this match makes it more intriguing. After many years both clubs have Kolkata based coaches, Biswajit Bhattacharya (East Bengal) and Sanjoy Sen (Mohun Bagan). A rivalry is developing between these two, reminiscent of the P.K. Banerjee and Amal Dutta confrontations which dominated the last two decades of the 20th century.
Uncertainty also prevails in both camps. East Bengal have signed former French defender Bernard Mendy as their fourth foreigner. Mendy, who excelled for Chennaiyin FC in the recent 2nd Indian Super League, submitted his visa application just a few days back and so could arrive in Kolkata a day before the match.
Similarly Bagan’s ace winger Sony Norde has returned from international duty at the start of this week. Norde was Bagan’s top-scorer when they won the I-League last season and can add thrust from the flanks, so he should be in the XI against East Bengal.
This season Bagan’s attacking duo of Balwant Singh and Cornell Glen have scored seven goals in their two matches. With Norde’s pace, guile and goal-scoring ability Bagan will have the most lethal attack in the I-League.
So the match could become a battle royal between East Bengal’s back four which could include new recruit international left back Narayan Das, the experienced Arnab Mondal and Bello Rassaq and Mohun Bagan’s potent attack.
Another crucial factor will be how Bagan’s defence copes with East Bengal playmaker Do Dong Hyun’s devastating counter attacks and Ranti Martins’ finish.
