Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal: Nandhakumar fires EB to a 1-0 in Kolkata derby

East Bengal triumphed 1-0 in the Kolkata derby against arch-rivals Mohun Bagan in the 132nd Durand Cup at the Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday evening. 

Nandhakumar Sekar stole the limelight as it was his goal in the second half that made the difference between the two teams. 

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It was a memorable win for the Red and Gold brigade since they tasted victory for the first time against their local rivals since January 2019. 

The match started with Carles Cuadrat's men on the front foot. They dominated possession and looked threatening with Armando Sadiku leading the lines. 

However, East Bengal were waiting for the opportunities to hit on the counter through Sekhar, Mahesh Singh and Siverio. Carles Cuadrat used the scathing pace of his front three and finally, on the hour mark they were able to pierce the net. 

Sekhar broke away on his scooter on the right flank and although Anirudh Thapa hurried back to stop the winger he provided enough space for him to set his target and shoot. His left-footed curler nestled into the net beyond the reach of an outstretched Vishal Kaith which broke the deadlock.

Bagan coach Juan Ferrando threw in all that he had in his arsenal in the final 30 minutes by bringing on Jason Cummings and Sahal Abdul Samad but his efforts went in vain. East Bengal held on to their lead, courtesy of some tight defending, and can even finish as group toppers if they beat Punjab FC on August 16. 

MORE: Durand Cup 2023: Teams, fixtures, results and how to watch

HIGHLIGHTS: Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal

Here's the man of the moment : Derby Day hero, Nandha Kumar.#IndianOilDurandCup #DurandCup2023 #132ndEditionofDurandCup #DurandCupPoweredByCoalIndiaLtd #IndianFootball #IndianFootballForwardTogether #ManyChampionsOneLegacy #MBSGEEBFC pic.twitter.com/3Ejl2KsKPM

— Durand Cup (@thedurandcup) August 12, 2023

Scenes from the Second Half of the #KolkataDerby.#IndianOilDurandCup #DurandCup2023 #132ndEditionofDurandCup #DurandCupPoweredByCoalIndiaLtd #IndianFootball #IndianFootballForwardTogether #ManyChampionsOneLegacy #MBSGEEBFC pic.twitter.com/1Ef2ngjKpG

— Durand Cup (@thedurandcup) August 12, 2023

First half moments from the #KolkataDerby.#IndianOilDurandCup #DurandCup2023 #132ndEditionofDurandCup #DurandCupPoweredByCoalIndiaLtd #IndianFootball #IndianFootballForwardTogether #ManyChampionsOneLegacy #MBSGEEBFC pic.twitter.com/5Ur33IdBhb

— Durand Cup (@thedurandcup) August 12, 2023

Nandha nets his maiden goal in ❤️💛 colours! What a stage, what an occasion! #JoyEastBengal #KolkataDerby #MBSGEEBFC #DurandCup pic.twitter.com/y2EY9zaNqU

— East Bengal FC (@eastbengal_fc) August 12, 2023

When did East Bengal last beat Mohun Bagan in the Kolkata derby?

Before the Durand Cup win on August 12, 2023, East Bengal had last won a Kolkata Derby on January 27, 2019, in the I-League. 

How can Mohun Bagan and East Bengal qualify for the quarterfinals? 

The group toppers as well as the two best runners-up will qualify for the knockout stages. 

If East Bengal win against Punjab FC on August 6 they will qualify directly by virtue of leading Group A. 

However, if they draw or lose then they have to hope that results in the other groups go their way so that they can qualify among the two best runners-up.

Meanwhile, if East Bengal does not win against Punjab FC then Mohun Bagan will go through as table toppers. But if Cuadrat's men win, then the green and maroon brigade will have to depend on the results of other groups. 

What are the Durand Cup 2023 fixtures?

Group A Fixtures

Points Table 

Group B Fixtures

Points Table

 Group C Fixtures

Points Table

 Group D Fixtures
 

Points Table 

Group E Fixtures

Points Table

Group F Fixtures

Points Table