The two teams with a history of a century-old rivalry have six points each and are also level on goal difference (+2), but East Bengal have the slight edge on goals scored, which means a draw will do for Carles Cuadrat\u2019s side as they chase their first semi-final appearance in the Kalinga Super Cup since the inaugural edition in 2018.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
However, the Spaniard stated that his team are only fighting for a win. \"Both teams must be very motivated. We know in football that when you\u2019re looking for a draw, you finally end up losing the game. So, for us, it\u2019s about winning. No question about that.\" said Cuadrat in the pre-match press conference.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
East Bengal forward Cleiton Silva agreed with his coach\u2019s words. \"We cannot go for a draw, we must win the game. It\u2019s always interesting to play a derby. It\u2019s a big game, the biggest game in India. I\u2019m happy to be a part of it,\" said the Brazilian.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
There are changes on and off the pitch regarding this particular derby. Both teams are missing Indian players who are a part of the national team at the ongoing AFC Asian Cup. It\u2019s also going to be the first Kolkata Derby in Odisha since the 2017 Federation Cup semi-final in Cuttack, where Mohun Bagan ran out 2-0 winners.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Friday\u2019s meeting is set to be the third Kolkata Derby of the season. While East Bengal edged Mohun Bagan SG 1-0 in the Durand Cup group stage, the Mariners ultimately had the last laugh, defeating their arch-rivals in the final with the same scoreline. But the scenario is different in the Kalinga Super Cup. With just one team progressing to the semi-final, the losers go home tomorrow.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"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\u2019s the most important thing,\" said Mohun Bagan SG coach Clifford Miranda.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"It\u2019s my first Derby, so I\u2019m excited, yes. But how much pressure we put on ourselves depends on how we feel. For me, it\u2019s just another game where I need to do my job as a coach and the players need to do theirs. Ideally, we would\u2019ve wanted to have our full-strength squad, but whoever is playing is giving their 100 percent,\" added the former India international.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Accompanying Miranda in the press conference was defender Brendan Hamill. \"From our perspective, it\u2019s a game that we love to play and don\u2019t need any extra motivation for. I\u2019ve been fortunate enough to play a few derbies and I know what it means for the fans. It\u2019s very exciting, it\u2019s the first match you look for when the calendar comes out. There\u2019s a chance to win silverware and qualify for a spot in Asia,\" said the Australian.<\/p>\r\n\r\n", "image": "https:\/\/img.cricketnmore.com\/uploads\/2024\/01\/mohun-bagan-v-east-bengal-century-old-rivals-set-for-a-kalinga-clash-in-a-must-win-game.jpeg", "alt_img": "Mohun Bagan v East Bengal: Century-old rivals set for a Kalinga clash in a must-win game", "alt_title": "Mohun Bagan v East Bengal: Century-old rivals set for a Kalinga clash in a must-win game", "image1": null, "video": null, "seo_title": "Mohun Bagan V East Bengal: Century-old Rivals Set For A Kalinga Clash In A Must-win Game On Cricketnmore", "seo_desc": "Mohun Bagan V East Bengal: Century-old Rivals Set For A Kalinga Clash In A Must-win Game, Mohun Bagan Super Giant: Neck and neck in the Group A points table, arch-rivals Mohun Bagan Super Giant and East.", "seo_keywords": "Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, East Bengal FC, Kalinga Super Cup, Kalinga Stadium, Carles Cuadrat, Cleiton Silva, AFC Asian Cup, Kolkata Derby, Federation Cup, While East Bengal, Mohun Bagan SG, Durand Cup, Clifford Miranda", "tag": "", "tagging": "Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, East Bengal FC, Kalinga Super Cup, Kalinga Stadium, Carles Cuadrat, Cleiton Silva, AFC Asian Cup, Kolkata Derby, Federation Cup, While East Bengal, Mohun Bagan SG, Durand Cup, Clifford Miranda", "status": "1", "img_rpt": "0", "google": "1", "standout": "0", "edapps": "0", "pulse": "0", "no_index": "0", "feed": "0", "fixture": null, "slug": "mohun-bagan-v-east-bengal-century-old-rivals-set-for-a-kalinga-clash-in-a-must-win-game", "user_id": "0", "read_count": "0", "ians_date": null, "ians_time": null, "server_time": null, "trash": "0", "view_count": "751", "page_break": "0", "instant_articles": "1", "auto_link": "0", "created": "2024-01-18 16:22:03", "updated": "2024-01-18 16:22:03", "img_from": "Image Source: IANS", "img_source": null, "schedule_publish": null, "news_keywords": "Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, East Bengal FC, Kalinga Super Cup, Kalinga Stadium, Carles Cuadrat, Cleiton Silva, AFC Asian Cup, Kolkata Derby, Federation Cup, While East Bengal, Mohun Bagan SG, Durand Cup, Clifford Miranda", "livescore_text": null, "livescore_link": null, "btn_text": null, "resend_feed": "1", "google_feed": "1", "read_more": "0", "posted_by": "23", "jio_date": "2024-01-18 16:22:03", "scheduled": "0", "news_now": "0", "breaking_news": "0", "google_date": null, "featured": "0", "sports_name": "football", "cnmid": "853602", "link": "https:\/\/www.cricketnmore.com\/sports-news\/mohun-bagan-v-east-bengal-century-old-rivals-set-for-a-kalinga-clash-in-a-must-win-game-12322" }