Petratos helps Mohun Bagan lift Durand #17 against arch-rivals East Bengal
In a nail-biting thriller, 10-man Mohun Bagan crushed East Bengal in the Durand Cup final, at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Sunday. The victory was a standout for the Mohun Bagan fans who wanted revenge after losing against East Bengal in the group stage clash.
In a historic showdown that will be etched in the annals of Indian football history, 10-man Mohun Bagan triumphed over their arch-rivals, East Bengal, in a nail-biting Durand Cup final, securing their 17th title and cementing their legacy as one of India’s most dominant football clubs.
The Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata, was the stage for this epic clash, where emotions ran high, and football fans from across the nation tuned in to witness this intense rivalry unfold.
Mohun Bagan’s journey to the final was no cakewalk, and the final match proved to be equally challenging. Although Mohun Bagan started the game with a lot of resilience and fury, they couldn’t capitalize on their chances.
East Bengal on the other hand played their counter-attack-based football with Nanda Kumar and Mahesh from the flanks. Anwar Ali with his perfect tackling again proved a key part in blocking the attacks of the Red and Gold brigade. The first half just showed, that both teams meant business. Consequently, the mariners pressed hard for a goal but lacked quality passes and coordination. Anirudh Thapa was booked by the referee as he fouled Siverio from behind in the dying minutes of the first half.
Just before the break, Dimitri failed to put his team in the lead, as his shot went a whisker wide of the goal post.
Coming into the second half East Bengal looked more powerful as they wanted a goal to put pressure on their rivals. The match was a rollercoaster of emotions for the fans. East Bengal, known for their attacking prowess, applied relentless pressure, testing the resilience of Mohun Bagan’s defense. Although the goalkeeper, Vishal Kaith emerged as the hero of the day, making several crucial saves to keep his team in the game.
Very early in the second half, a tackle involving Sadiku and Borja ultimately saw East Bengal coach Carles Cuadrat receiving a yellow card. Since the referee’s decision went against their side, Cuadrat protested going beyond his limits and Rahul Kumar Gupta punished him.
Although Mohun Bagan was looking good with the ball they lacked the proper creation as their midfield general Hugo Bumous looked off-colour. The game took a crucial turn when the referee showed Thapa a red card. In the 62nd minute, Thapa and Siverio fought for a high ball but the former’s high boot hit the Spaniard on his forehead. As Siverio went down with pain, the referee showed a second yellow card to Thapa.
The defining moment came in the 71st minute when Dimitri Petratos broke the deadlock with a brilliantly curved left-footer. Mohun Bagan fans went crazy as they saw their hero scoring the goal and putting the 10-man side up in the derby. It was a testament to Mohun Bagan’s ability to seize opportunities even in adverse circumstances.
Thus, East Bengal made a couple of attacking changes to grab an equalizer but failed miserably because of the poor quality of their crosses as well as wasted finishing abilities. As the final whistle blew, Mohun Bagan emerged as victors, securing their 17th Durand Cup title. The celebration that followed was nothing short of spectacular, as players, coaching staff, and fans rejoiced in their historic triumph.
Club officials and players paid tribute to the unwavering support of their fans, acknowledging that their passionate chants and unwavering support had provided the extra motivation needed to overcome adversity and secure this monumental victory.
With this win, Mohun Bagan not only lifted the Durand Cup but also solidified their status as one of the most successful football clubs in India. Football fans will remember their ability to overcome a red card and defeat their arch-rivals in such a high-stakes final for generations to come.
In the heart of Kolkata, the Mariners’ faithful will proudly sing their anthem, “Joy Mohun Bagan,” as they celebrate this incredible triumph – a testament to the power of determination and the spirit of never giving up, even when the odds are stacked against you. Football fans will remember their ability to overcome a red card and defeat their arch-rivals in such a high-stakes final for generations to come.”
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