Giants Mohun Bagan and Quess East Bengal face-off in crucial Kolkata Derby clash

Kolkata, January 25, 2019: A Kolkata Derby clash between giants Mohun Bagan and Quess East Bengal (QEB) is never unimportant to their legions of fans, but the Sunday, January 27, 2019, face-off is more than a regular grudge match, given the previous result where QEB ran out victors, has an added layer of importance given the title is still within sights of both the arch-rivals.
QEB go into the game with the better returns this 12th Hero I-League season, but fans of Indian football know that all that comes to naught once the game kicks off at 5 pm IST at Kolkata’s Vivekanada Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK).
For the record, QEB are placed fourth in the league standings with 22 points from 12 games, while Mohun Bagan are sixth with 21 from 13. A win for either will help them cut down the deficit with leaders Chennai, who are at the top with 30 points from 13 games.
Mohun Bagan lost their former Head Coach Sankarlal Chakraborty after a home loss against newbies Real Kashmir, after which, former East Bengal gaffer Khalid Jamil was brought in, to turn the tide for the Green and Maroons.
The new boss understandably tried to play down the ‘boro match’ in the pre-match press conference saying, “I have come here to help Mohun Bagan and am not thinking of revenge. This is an important match. It is our home match, and we must get a positive result.”
He agreed that Haitian winger Sony Norde was key to the fortunes of his team. The star has been on a spaced-out comeback after a long injury layoff and has shown glimpses of his class, scoring four quality goals in the game time he has been able to cull out thus far.
QEB, on the other hand, have blown hot and cold, more hot than cold, and once again have the services of Mexican striker Enrique Esqueda, who started the season and missed a few games in between due to injury.
Besides Esqueda, they also have a heady attacking combination in the league’s highest scorer Jobby Justin, Spaniard Jamie Santos Colado, and Laldanmawia Ralte, the Mizo winger who scored in the first leg fixture at the same venue and has had a resurrected season so far.
Their Spanish coach Alejandro Garcia put up a determined front ahead of the Derby saying, “Mohun Bagan is a difficult match. We are focusing on the game. All the teams that are fighting for the title are difficult. But we are focusing only on the next match. We have to fight and get full three points to fight for the title.”
The pensive mood of the coach notwithstanding, the fans are sure to be in for a footballing treat, in what is rightly termed the Biggest Game in Indian football.
by Aiff media
Football News / Indian Super League
Reebok Returns to Football with John Abraham’s NorthEast United FC
Kicking off a powerful new chapter in Indian football, Reebok, a global leader in athletic footwear and apparel, has announced a strategic partnership with NorthEast United Football Club (NEUFC). Owned…
Indian Women’s Football Team / Women Football
FIFA Women’s World Cup the next mountain to climb for the Blue Tigresses
It’s been four days since India’s historic qualification for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026. But the dust from the celebrations isn’t settling anytime soon, and the women’s football…
East Bengal to play Bangalore’s South United in opener as 134th IndianOil Durand Cup fixtures and groups announced
The 134th edition of the IndianOil Durand Cup, will kick off on July 23rd, 2025, with Emami East Bengal FC facing Bengaluru-based South United FC (SUFC) at the iconic Vivekananda…
AFC Women’s Asian Cup / Indian Women’s Football Team / Women Football
AIFF charts roadmap for Indian women’s national team after historic Asian Cup qualification
The All India Football Federation President Shri Kalyan Chaubey, on Friday, July 11, 2025, convened a meeting with Deputy Secretary General, Mr M. Satyanarayan, Technical Director, Mr. Syed Sabir Pasha,…
Durand Cup returns to Imphal with a grand trophy tour
Imphal welcomed the 134th IndianOil Durand Cup trophies with a grand trophy tour as Asia’s oldest football tournament returned to Manipur’s capital after a two-year hiatus. The three trophies of the…
India U20 women’s coach Joakim Alexandersson names 24-member travelling squad for Uzbekistan friendlies
The Indian U20 women’s team will play two friendly matches in Tashkent against Uzbekistan U20 women on July 13 and 16, 2025, as part of their preparations for the AFC…
India U20 / Indian Football Team
Friendly Result: India hold Uzbekistan to a 1-1 draw
The India U20 women’s national team drew 1-1 against Uzbekistan in the first of two friendly matches at the Do’stlik Stadium in Tashkent, on Monday, July 14, 2025. Mexribon Egamberdiyeva…
Hero Futsal Club Championship / National Futsal Championship
AIFF Futsal Club Championship 2024-25 to kick off on August 3 in Rudrapur, Uttarakhand
The AIFF Futsal Club Championship 2024-25 will be held from August 3 to 18, 2025, at the Shri Manoj Sarkar Stadium – Shivalik Hall in Rudrapur, Uttarakhand. Seventeen clubs will…
Maharashtra Oranje FC’s Academy Division, SFL Oranje Academy, announces Trials for 2025-26 season across multiple age groups
Mumbai, Maharashtra – Maharashtra Oranje FC, a prominent name in Mumbai’s football circuit, is set to hold extensive trials for the upcoming 2025-26 season through its academy division, SFL Oranje…
SSE BFC offering girls football trials in Mumbai for U14 & U17 Teams
SSE Soccer Schools, one of Mumbai’s longest-serving academies, is a trusted name and has positively contributed to shaping the local football community for thousands of kids since 2010. SSE Soccer…
SSE BFC Soccer Schools Announces Open Trials for 2025-26 Season in Mumbai
SSE Soccer Schools, one of Mumbai’s longest-standing football academies, has announced open trials for its 2025-26 SSE BFC Soccer Schools program in partnership with Indian Super League club Bengaluru FC….
South United FC Announces Trials in Pune for their Residential Academy in Bangalore
South United Football Club has announced its next set of trials for its new Residential Academy, which will be held in Pune. The trials will take place at the Club’s…
Corporate Football / MFA Elite Corporate League / Trials
Bank of India announces open trial for Mumbai Corporate League Campaign
Bank of India is set to make its mark in the Mumbai Corporate League and is looking for exceptional football talent to bolster its squad. The trial is scheduled for…
India Khelo Football Workshop returns to Mumbai for its 4th Season
The Indian Khelo Football (IKF) Workshop returns to Mumbai this September, bringing with it an exceptional platform for aspiring footballers to showcase their skills and seize opportunities that could transform…
MFA / Mumbai Super League / Trials
Somaiya FC announces trials for the upcoming 2024-25 Season
Somaiya FC, having secured a commendable 5th position in the MFA Super Division last season, has announced open trials as they gear up for upcoming season. The team, known for…
VR Academy to conduct trials for 2024-25 Season
Mumbai based VR Academy has announced trials for the upcoming 2024-25 season. The club is looking for talented young players to join our esteemed academy and participate in various competitive…
MH ORANJE FC U-17 Trials for the Upcoming Season
With a proud legacy of nurturing talent and achieving excellence, Maharashtra Oranje FC has recently made waves with appearances in I-League 2, securing a remarkable runner-up position in the fiercely…
Football School of India announce trials for Young Talents
Football School of India (FSI) has announced trials for young football enthusiasts in the upcoming week of June. A golden opportunity for aspiring players to showcase their talents and potentially…