Kolkata Derby Rescheduled to 17th May Amid Election-Driven Fixture Changes
The Kolkata Derby in the ongoing Indian Super League has been rescheduled, with the clash between Mohun Bagan Super Giant and East Bengal FC now set to take place on 17th May. The match was originally scheduled for 3rd May, but the announcement of the state election results on 4th May made it unfeasible to host such a high-profile fixture just a day earlier. As a result, the organisers pushed the derby back by two weeks. The reshuffle has also affected other fixtures. East Bengal’s match against Punjab FC has been moved from 24th April to 11th May. Their 28th April clash against Odisha FC will no longer be held in Kolkata and has been shifted to Goa due to election-related restrictions. Additionally, their away fixture against Mumbai City FC has been brought forward from 8th May to 5th May. Earlier, Mohun Bagan’s match against Inter Kashi, which was scheduled for 26th April, had already been postponed to 12th May. With the league being played in a single-stage format this season, the revised schedule adds further intensity to an already competitive campaign, with the derby now carrying even more significance in the title race.
Mohun Bagan Remain Focused on Crucial Training Session Despite Thapa Sidelined
Mohun Bagan Super Giant head into their next clash against Jamshedpur with plenty to think about. With elections impacting schedules across the state and several Indian Super League matches being disrupted, the Mariners are trying to stay locked in on their objectives. They face Jamshedpur FC on 4th April, but the build-up has been far from smooth. Sergio Lobera’s side has already dropped points in their last two games, slipping from the top spot, and now injuries are beginning to pile up. The biggest concern is Anirudh Thapa. The midfielder trained on Wednesday but did not complete the full session. After taking part in the initial drills, he pulled out before match practice and was seen speaking with the physio. While the issue is believed to be minor muscle discomfort, the team management chose not to take any chances. Preparation has also been affected by the absence of key players like Liston Colaco, Manvir Singh and Anwar Ali, who are yet to return from national duty. The full squad is expected to regroup before the team travels for their second away match of the season. There were also minor scares during training as Mehtab Singh and Robson picked up knocks following a collision. Both injuries are not considered serious, but the duo were seen with ice packs after the session, leaving a question mark over their availability.
