Bitter foes Mohun Bagan Super Giant and East Bengal will renew their rivalry when they clash in the Group A match of the Kalinga Super Cup to seal the semi-final spot at the Kalinga Stadium here on Friday.
They have six points each in Group A and are also level on goal difference (+2), but East Bengal have a slight edge on goals scored.
A draw will do for Carles Cuadrat’s side as they chase their first semi-final appearance in the Super Cup since the inaugural edition in 2018. Bagan need a win to advance. Only the group champions will earn a slot in the last-four stage.
“Both teams must be very motivated. 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,” Cuadrat said at the pre-match news conference on Thursday.
East Bengal forward Cleiton Silva agreed with his coach’s view.
“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,” said the Brazilian.
Both teams are missing Indian players who are a part of the national team at the ongoing AFC Asian Cup.
It’s also going to be the first Calcutta Derby in Odisha since the 2017 Federation Cup semi-final in Cuttack, where Mohun Bagan ran out 2-0 winners.
“We are training well and are very focused. We have been working on our tactics. The only difference between here and other competitions like the ISL and the Durand Cup is that now we can play six foreigners,” Silva said.
“It can make a difference, but the rest is the same. Our players have the same never-say-die attitude, and I’m very happy to see that,” Silva said.
“We know the significance of this match, not just in terms of the derby but, more importantly, in terms of a semi-final spot.
“That’s the most important thing,” said Bagan assistant coach Clifford Miranda.
The former India player guided Odisha FC to Super Cup triumph last April in Kozhikode and Bagan would hope Miranda does something something similar in Bhubaneswar too.
