Football rivalries are among the most passionate affairs which can ever take place among all other things under the sun. On their day they have the power of creating separate groups of people based on their loyalties for a particular club. In the soccer mad continents of Europe, South America there are many such famous rivalries which leaves us in awe.
Some of the famous rivalries are Manchester United –Liverpool, Barcelona-Real Madrid, AC Milan-Inter Milan, Celtic-Rangers, Boca Juniors-River Plate etc. Back home in India we have a rivalry which dates back to more than a 100 years. The East Bengal and Mohun Bagan rivalry is as much as at the same stage as the other mentioned ones in terms of passion, supporters, match day excitement and spectators.The Salt Lake stadium at Kolkata with a capacity crowd of 1,10,000 can match any other football theatre in the world. What lacks though in this rivalry is quality of football as compared to others ones. Sadly that’s because of the decline of Indian football over the years.
Being a lad from this city I have known what this match is all about in the life of a common Bengali. Sentiments dating back to pre independence period is attached with this match. I would not like to go into history of this rivalry. Instead I am giving you all this two links from where you can learn more about these clubs.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohun_Bagan_AC
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Bengal_Club
Coming to the present situation today’s match is very crucial as East Bengal although out of the Calcutta Football League title race will have a big role to play in the identification of the eventual winners. If the red and gold brigade(Jersey of East Bengal) beat the men in green and maroon(Mohun Bagan),than it will be left to Mohd Sporting(Another Big club with a history as old as the other two clubs) to win the title provided they win their match and go ahead of Mohun Bagan in goal difference. Also interestingly Mohun Bagan has defeated East Bengal in last 7 consecutive matches ! A reason strong enough for East Bengal to spoil their rivals party. All in all it has all the makings of a classic !
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