MBSG edge past spirited United SC to face East Bengal in the season’s third Derby in the Shield final
Pratyusha Jana: After a celebration-less win, a derby awaits in the finals on Saturday! Mohun Bagan Super Giants (MBSG) swiftly advanced towards the IFA Shield Finals, edging past spirited United Sports Club with 2-0, amidst the shooting sun and burning backlash from the fans. While the advancement was surely a happy event but the celebration was yet to find the team. The green and maroon brigade found their first net at the 45th minute of the match. Petratos took a free-kick. Subrata managed to punch it away. Robson collected the loose ball on the left. He played a quick pass to Cummings. Cummings cut it back to Petratos in the centre. Seila Toure rushed in to block him. But Petratos stayed calm. The Australian slipped the ball past Toure and Subrata to score the opener late in the first half. The second net came from the same side goal from Ankan Bhattacharjee in the 49th minute of the match. After Robson Robinho took the free-kick, he directed it towards Cummings. Subrata made the initial save, but the rebound ball in the ensuing scramble, the ball deflected off Ankan and rolled into the net. The first half of the match saw an astonishing performance by USC players as Christopher took the first shot at just the 14th minute into the match. However, their continuous attempt towards the goals remained unsuccessful throughout 90+4’ in Kishore Bharati Krirangan, on Wednesday, drawing a finishing line for their IFA Shield campaign. While talking about the match, Lal Kamal Bhowmick, the United SC coach, stated, “We have played good football today. The opponent was Mohun Bagan, one of the best teams in India, so surely we need more expertise.” In the first half of the match, USC gave an outstanding performance; however, after conceding the first goal, the power visually decreased. While talking about it, the coach stated, “Yes! After the first goal, it was evident but it’s not like we lost hope. We created many chances and openings for goals in the second half. Our players have played well. I am satisfied with their performance, but we need more practice.”
Mohun Bagan SG start IFA Shield campaign with fans’ ‘Protest’ at Kishore Bharati Stadium
Pratyusha Jana: Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG) fans expressed their “SHAME” with protest TIFOs, making their disorientation and dissatisfaction clear. Police quickly intervened, seizing the banners and escorting the small group of protesters to a different stadium. Later, at the game, the fans reignited their protest, shouting the “Go Back” slogan along with banners written “Cowards Management”. Throughout the first 30 minutes, the protesting slogan continued, leaving no hesitation about the dissatisfaction of the fans. Despite the intensity of this action, the overall protest was smaller than expected. The more significant form of fan displeasure is anticipated to be a nearly empty gallery during MBSG’s first IFA Shield match. The fans’ continuous protest in social media and agitations before the club premises made it visibly clear that Mohun Bagan Super Giants will face the backlash from the Mariners for their withdrawal from the AFC Champions League Two (ACL Two) competition for a second consecutive season. MBSG’s withdrawal from the League came as they failed to travel to Iran, citing security concern for their foreign players; however, the move backfired as they now face a multi-year ban and hefty fine from the authority.
MBSG likely to face ‘Asia ban’ from AFC!
Mohun Bagan Super Giants are likely to face suspension from the Asian Football Council for a few more seasons from participating in the AFC Club competitions after the team refused to travel to Iran to take part in their AFC Champions League-2 away match against Sepahan FC due to security reasons. According to Article 5.2, MBSG were deemed to have withdrawn from the ACL-2, the second-tier club competition in Asia. Bagan also declined to visit Iran last season for safety reasons but avoided sanctions—apart from removal from the competition—as it was deemed a ‘force majeure’ situation. AFC’s relevant committees will now review the situation in detail after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) denied MBSG’s urgent request for an ex parte provisional ruling. Notably, the AFC highlighted that two other teams, from the UAE and Bahrain, traveled to Iran to participate in continental matches. Additionally, a match commissioner from Kolkata, Arunava Bhattacharya, traveled to Iran for Esteghlal FC’s home fixture against Al-Muharraq. Article 5.7 of the competition regulations says that if a club pulls out of the competition at any stage, the case will be referred to AFC Disciplinary ad Ethics Committee and along with a penalty of at least 50000 US Dollars, the club might be suspended from participating in one or more future seasons of the AFC Club competitions.
Enver Annayev’s excellent late-strike forces MBSG to concede defeat at home in the AFC Champions League 2
Enver Annayev’s splendid strike netted a late winner as Ahal Anew FC beat Mohun Bagan Super Giants 1-0 in their opening group stage match in the AFC Champions League Two (ACL 2), at the Salt Lake Stadium, in Kolkata on Tuesday. The only goal came in the 83rd minute. Gurbanberdiyev exhibited an accurate through to Annayev inside the box, and Annayev, after getting the ball, unleashed a rocket-like punch across the face of the goal to find the far corner of the net. The game remained wary for long stretches, with both teams struggling to create clear-cut chances. Mohun Bagan showed flashes of attacking intent, especially through Kiyan, Sahal, and the lively Jason Cummings, but Ahal’s defense and goalkeeper Berdiyev stood firm. The decisive moment came just four minutes after Enwer Annayew and Basim Gurbanberdiyew were introduced, and Ahal Anew FC seemed relieved with both the footballers penetrating to crack the opposition defense.
Ifa tries to conduct senior level IFA Shield after two years
Ifa plans to revamp the century-old Ifa shield. If everything goes the right way, after Durga Puja again, MBSG and East Bengal will face each other before the Super Cup. This time Ifa shield will be senior level tournament. Already the Indian Football Association had sought permission from Aiff. Ifa wants to get back the glory of this tournament again. Ifa secretary Anirban Dutta, sounds very much positive about this tournament. He told us, We had send a letter to the All India Football Federation and seek their permission for this tournament. Super will start on 25th October, so we have decided to commence this IFA Shield from the first week of October. We are very hopeful that three big clubs from Kolkata will participate in this tournament, and primarily we had reached few other clubs in India. They had shown their interest to participate. It will be a six-team tournament. Although Aiff does not give their green signal to Ifa officially, it’s been learned that verbally they had given their permission for this century-old tournament.
India’s under-23 national football team will travel to Malaysia without key MBSG players!
Naushad Moosa’s dreams of making history by reaching the finals have suffered a big blow, as the Indian squad, traveling to Malaysia to take part in the under-23 Asian Cup qualifiers, are likely to miss talented footballers from Mohun Bagan Super Giants! The talented youngsters of Bagan, such as Suhail Bhat, Dippendu Biswas, and Tekcham Abhishek Singh are likely to miss out. The selected footballers from NorthEast United FC are expected to join the national squad after their Durand Cup Final, which takes place on 23rd August against Diamond Harbor FC. However, AIFF are still trying to convince the ISL winner to release the players before the official FIFA window, scheduled to start on 1st September. With Mohun Bagan kicking off their ACL 2 matches on 16th September the club raised concerns over the fitness issues of players. Head Coach Naushad Moosa had to start the preparatory camp in Bangalore without the presence of 16 key footballers, who are from Punjab FC, Jamshedpur, Mohun Bagan, NorthEast United, and FC Goa. Only 10 footballers who participated in the friendly matches against Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan had reported to the camp. Moosa was forced to call upon 15 trialists to get the number to 25 for a full squad to start training. Among the absentees were FC Goa’s Ayush Chhetri, Sanatomba Singh, and Alan Saji, who joined the squad right after Goa’s AFC Champions League 2 preliminary round tie against Al Seeb on 13th August. The 16 of the initial players who were unavailable for the camp were mostly players who would have walked straight into the playing XI or the match-day squad. Despite bringing in new footballers for the selection trials the absence of such players for the preparatory camp left Moosa worried. On the positive note, players from Punjab FC and even Jamshedpur FC have joined the squad.
East Bengal beat Mohun Bagan Supar Giants; Dedicate the victory to Mohammed Rashid
East Bengal beat Mohun Bagan Super Giants 2-1 in the Durand Cup quarterfinal to qualify for the semifinal at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Sunday. The Red-and-Gold Brigade dedicated the win to Mohammed Rashid, who had left for home after getting the news of his father’s demise, days before the match. Dimitrios Diamantakos stole the limelight on the day, scoring a brace in the 38th and 52nd minute, respectively, for the Oscar Bruzon-coached side. It was a new East Bengal squad consisting of new foreigners and new Indian footballers. Significantly, it was an ordeal for the club management, especially for the team’s think-tank, after a series of disastrous performances in the last couple of years. The whole East Bengal fraternity was waiting for the performance of the new batch of footballers, roped in this season. The think-tank of the team led by chief coach Oscar Bruzon and newly appointed Football Director Thangboi Shingto earned the pass mark, at least on the day against the fancied MBSG. Except for the last 20 minutes, it was the Red-and-Gold brigade that had domination over their opposition. Led by Brazilian midfielder Miguel Fereira in the midfield and buoyed by Mahesh and Bipin Singh’s agility down the flanks as well as a compact show by Rakip and Anwar Ali, East Bengal turned things around. Jubilant East Bengal fans might also be relieved of the newly roped-in Argentine defender Kevin Sibille’s show, who made a brilliant goal-line clearance in the 58th minute.
Durand Cup: EB start campaign on 23rd July, MBSG on 31st July, and MDSP on 28th July
The 16-time winner, East Bengal will start their campaign in the forthcoming Durand Cup against South United FC on 23rd July at the Salt Lake Stadium. East Bengal have been grouped with South United FC, Namdhari FC, and the Air Force. The red-and-gold brigade will play their next two matches in the group on 6th August and 10th August, respectively. However, Mohun Bagan Super Giants, the 17-time winner in the Durand Cup, will play their opener in the tournament on 31st July against Mohammedan Sporting at the Salt Lake Stadium, changing their primary decision of withdrawing from the tournament. MBSG will play their two other group league matches against Border Security Force and against Diamond Harbor FC on 9th August. Drawn in Group B with Mohammedan Sporting, Diamond Harbor FC, and Border Security Force, all its group-stage matches will be held in Kolkata at Salt Lake Stadium and Kishore Bharati Krirangan. Mohamedan Sports have been scheduled to start their campaign in the Durand Cup on 28th July against Diamond Harbor FC on 28th July. The black-and-white briade won the title twice so far, once in 1940 and then in 2013.
Mohun Bagan Super Giants concede defeat in CFL opener; make the fans violent!
Mohun Bagan Super Giants (MBSG) started their campaign in the CFL Premier Division League with a defeat against Police AC at Naihati Stadium on Monday. Amil Naim struck the winner for Police AC just before break. Amin has joined Police AC from Kalighat MS this season. The elated striker dedicated his goal to the team’s footballers and coach Joseph Naik. However, the MBSG supporters turned violent after the end of the match. They were seen throwing bottles and abusing the footballers in the tunnel. MBSG had to play without the service of Suhail Bhat and Dipendu Biswas on the day. Still, they had experienced players who were off color on the day as Police AC dominated almost throughout the match. Mohun Bagan coach Degi Cardojo, however, admitted that the boys’ performance was not up to the mark. But at the same time, he stated that this team, which took part on the day, is a part of the club’s youth development program. In other CFL Premier Division League matches on the day, New Alipore Suruchi Sangha humbled Kalighat MS 4-0, Mamoni Pathachakra defeated Kalighat Sports Lovers Association by a brace, and George Telegraph edged past Behala BSS 3-2.
MBSG all set to sign Tekcham Abhishek Singh on a massive transfer fee!
Mohun Bagan Super Giants are all set to complete the blockbuster signing of Tekcham Abhishek Singh from Punjab FC, beating arch-rivals East Bengal and FC Goa to the dynamic full-back’s signature. According to Khel.com the total value of the deal is expected to exceed Rs. 8.1 crore, making it one of the most significant domestic transfers in Indian football. “Mohun Bagan will pay approximately ₹1.8 crore to Punjab FC. Over three years, Tekcham Abhishek Singh will earn an average of ₹2.1 crore per season for the first three seasons. The total deal value of this transfer exceeds ₹8.1 crore, excluding bonuses,” revealed the portal from a source on condition of anonymity. Singh made his India national team debut in March 2024 under Manolo Marquez in a friendly against the Maldives. Tekcham Abhishek Singh made his debut for Punjab FC in the I-League 2022-23. The Manipur-born defender became a mainstay in the club’s backline during their debut ISL season. In the 2024–25 campaign, he clocked 1,958 minutes under his belt in the ISL catching the attention of Indian national team head coach Manolo Marquez and interest from top clubs in the country. Kerala Blasters were the first ISL club to spot Singh’s potential while he was with Punjab’s reserve team. Despite early interest and significant offers, Punjab FC retained him at the time. With just one year left on his contract heading into the 2025 summer window, Punjab FC tried to extend his deal, but negotiations were turned down by Singh and his representatives, paving the way for a transfer. East Bengal made the first official move following the 2024–25 season with a bidding of Rs. 1.3 crore, That was rejected. MBSG offered Rs 1.5 crore as the transfer fee but that was also turned down. FC Goa joined the race but chose not to escalate the bidding. Eventually, both East Bengal and FC Goa pulled out due to the high transfer fee and increasing salary demands.
