Arch-rivals Mohun Bagan Super Giant and East Bengal are all set for a fierce showdown in the Super Cup at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneshwar, eyeing a coveted spot in the semifinals.
The clash, scheduled for Friday, holds significant importance as both teams are tied with six points each in Group A, with an identical goal difference of +2. However, East Bengal enjoys a slight advantage based on goals scored.
Carles Cuadrat's Mohun Bagan Super Giant has failed to secure their first semifinal appearance in the Super Cup since the tournament's inception in 2018. A draw would suffice for Cuadrat's side, but he emphasized the team's focus on securing a victory during the pre-match press conference.
"We know in football that when you're looking for a draw, you end up losing the game. So, for us, it's about winning. No question about that," stated Cuadrat.
Echoing his coach's sentiments, East Bengal forward Cleiton Silva emphasized the importance of a victory, saying, "We cannot go for a draw, we must win the game. It's always interesting to play a derby. It's a big game, the biggest game in India. I'm happy to be a part of it."
Both teams are grappling with the absence of Indian players participating in the ongoing AFC Asian Cup. The upcoming clash is particularly noteworthy as it marks the first Kolkata Derby in Odisha since the 2017 Federation Cup semi-final in Cuttack, where Mohun Bagan emerged victorious with a 2-0 scoreline.
With only one team progressing to the semifinals in the Kalinga Super Cup, the stakes are high, and the losers will exit the competition on Friday.
Clifford Miranda, coach of Mohun Bagan Super Giant, emphasized the significance of the match, not just as a derby but, more importantly, in terms of securing a spot in the semifinals.
The encounter on Friday will be the third Kolkata derby of the season, with East Bengal claiming a 1-0 victory in the Durand Cup group stage, while Mohun Bagan Super Giant avenged their defeat by emerging triumphant with the same scoreline in the final.
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