বাংলায় পড়ুন
Football enthusiasts and supporters of two of Kolkata's oldest and most iconic football clubs, Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, were treated to an unforgettable spectacle as the two arch-rivals battled it out in the final of the prestigious Durand Cup 2023. The match, held at the Salt Lake Stadium on Sunday, lived up to its billing as a clash of titans, producing heart-pounding moments and showcasing the rich footballing heritage of these historic clubs.
From the moment the referee's whistle signalled the start of the match, the atmosphere was electric. The stadium was filled to the brim with passionate fans, each side fervently supporting their beloved teams. The rivalry between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal goes back over a century, and this final was set to be another chapter in their storied history. Mohun Bagan clinched the Durand Cup's 17th trophy. A 10-man team beat their arch-rivals, East Bengal, 1-0 in a historic match at Yuvabharati. This marked the end of the 132nd edition of the Durand Cup.
From the beginning of the game, it was evident that both teams were determined to dominate each other. However, within the first four minutes of play, Mohun Bagan earned their first corner, but Dimitri Petratos couldn't capitalise on the opportunity as he couldn't keep the ball inside the field. Even though Mohun Bagan won another corner in the 15th minute, they failed to make good use of it. They couldn't create significant chances even after receiving a throw-in. Then, around the 19th minute, East Bengal's Mahesh Naorem managed to find an opportunity to score a goal. However, Anwar Ali intercepted the shot with a well-timed tackle, thwarting the attack.
As the game progressed, East Bengal tried to break Mohun Bagan's defence in the 30th minute but remained unsuccessful. The Bagans held firm to their defensive line.
In the first half, East Bengal's centre-back Elsey suffered an injury, and despite playing for a while, he had to leave the field. East Bengal's head coach replaced him with Pardo. Despite having some opportunities to score towards the end of the first half, Mohun Bagan couldn't convert them into goals. The first half ended with both teams 'goalless'.
However, the second half brought a twist to the game. In the 47th minute, East Bengal found an opportunity to score, but Mohunbagan managed. Nevertheless, no team managed to score a goal, and frustration grew. The trouble mounted for Mohun Bagan, with Anirudh Thapa receiving his second yellow of the night for a high boot in the 62nd minute.
The game continued fiercely, but in the 61st minute, Mohun Bagan's forward, Dimitri Petratos, managed to score a brilliant goal before being tackled. This gave the 'Green Maroon's a lead. Despite East Bengal's efforts, they couldn't bounce back. Players like Clayton and Nandakumar attempted to score, but they couldn't find success. In the end, with a 1-0 victory, Mohun Bagan emerged as the champions of the Durand Cup.
In conclusion, it was a hard-fought match, and Mohun Bagan's determination and teamwork ultimately led them to victory, clinching the Durand Cup 2023 title once again.
