A tense IFA Shield final had ended in penalty-shootout defeat at the hands of Mohun Bagan SG, and with it, a familiar ache returned to the Red and Golds \u2014 so close, yet once again, outmanoeuvred by their bitter rivals.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
On Friday, East Bengal will get a shot at taking revenge against their arch rivals when the two giants collide once more at the PJN Stadium in Fatorda, Goa, at 19:30 IST.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
This final Group A clash of the AIFF Super Cup 2025-26 carries permutations as intricate as the rivalry itself. If either East Bengal or Mohun Bagan win the derby, the winners will march straight into the semi-finals. If the teams play out a scored draw, East Bengal will advance.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
But the equation twists dramatically if the match ends goalless. The result of the earlier match between Dempo SC and Chennaiyin FC (played at 16:30) at the GMC Athletic Stadium, in Bambolim, Goa, will come into play. If Dempo defeat Chennaiyin by five or more goals, they will leapfrog both Kolkata clubs to qualify. If they win by fewer than a four-goal margin, East Bengal will progress.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
However, if Dempo win exactly 4-0, it will all come down to a draw of lots between the Golden Eagles and the Red and Gold Brigade, provided the derby ends goalless. There\u2019s one more wrinkle yet. If Dempo win by a four-goal margin despite having conceded against Chennaiyin, and the derby ends goalless, then the Goan club will qualify.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In essence, East Bengal hold the upper hand, but Mohun Bagan\u2019s fate is still in their own hands \u2014 win, and they are through. With such fine margins and enormous stakes, the third Kolkata Derby of the 2025\u201326 season promises nothing less than a thriller under the Goan floodlights.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The arithmetic adds tension to an already combustible fixture, but East Bengal head coach \u00d3scar Bruz\u00f3n has repeatedly warned his players against complacency. \u201cWe\u2019re not thinking about a draw,\u201d he insisted. \u201cMohun Bagan can score at any moment. So we will go out to win. Our mentality will be the same from the first minute to the last.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Bruz\u00f3n's words reflect a squad rediscovering its rhythm. Recent East Bengal performances in the derby proved that they could match the ISL champions Mohun Bagan SG stride for stride.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In the ongoing AIFF Super Cup, the Red and Golds have scored six goals in two games, their attacking fluidity built around Naorem Mahesh Singh\u2019s creativity, Bipin Singh\u2019s directness, and Hamid Ahadad\u2019s presence up front.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Spanish midfielder Sa\u00fal Crespo described the team\u2019s buoyant mood. \u201cThe players are enjoying every moment. It\u2019s like a breath of fresh air after the win over Chennaiyin. We know what this derby means. We can feel that energy,\u201d Crespo said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
For Mohun Bagan SG, the AIFF Super Cup campaign has been steady but not spectacular. Jos\u00e9 Molina\u2019s men remain unbeaten yet short of their trademark cutting edge, as the goalless draw with Dempo SC showed.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Mariners\u2019 defensive organisation, marshalled by captain Subhasish Bose, has been immaculate, but goals have been scarce. Now, with everything on the line, Australian forwards Jason Cummings and Jamie Maclaren must rediscover their spark.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThis season hasn\u2019t been easy,\u201d Molina admitted. \u201cBut we\u2019ve been here before. We will fight for the supporters and try to make them happy.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Molina also believes that midfield control will be decisive in the derby. Apuia and Anirudh Thapa will look to dictate tempo for Bagan, threading passes for their forwards, while Bruz\u00f3n's Crespo and Lalchungnunga aim to choke supply lines in what promises to be a bruising tactical contest. \u201cAt this point, there aren\u2019t many surprises left. Both teams know each other very well,\u201d Molina said. \u201cIt\u2019ll come down to who takes their chances.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThis season hasn\u2019t been easy,\u201d Molina admitted. \u201cBut we\u2019ve been here before. We will fight for the supporters and try to make them happy.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The match will be broadcast live on Star Sports Khel and streamed on JioHotstar.<\/p>\r\n\r\n