New Delhi: East Bengal FC booked their place in the Super Cup semi-finals after holding arch-rivals Mohun Bagan Super Giant to a tense 0-0 draw in a high-stakes Group A encounter on Friday. Both teams finished level on six points, but East Bengal advanced to the last four thanks to a superior goal difference, helped by their emphatic 4-0 win over Chennaiyin FC earlier in the week.
Oscar Bruzon’s men displayed discipline and composure throughout, keeping the Indian Super League champions at bay in a match that offered few clear chances. Anwar Ali led a rock-solid defensive line, while goalkeeper Kamaljit Singh’s assured performance ensured a clean sheet for the Kolkata giants.
The best moment of the first half came in the 24th minute when Mohun Bagan’s Bipin Singh saw his header from a Miguel Figueira cross crash against the post. After the break, Liston Colaco’s looping header from an Apuia delivery narrowly missed, landing on top of the net.
The Mariners mounted heavy pressure midway through the second half, with Jason Cummings and Colaco testing the East Bengal defence in quick succession. However, Ali and Aiban Dohling stood firm, blocking successive free-kick attempts before Aldred’s header drifted off target from the rebound. Despite relentless attacking intent from Mohun Bagan in the closing stages, East Bengal’s organisation and resilience carried them over the line.
This was the fourth meeting between the two Kolkata rivals this season, with East Bengal now leading the head-to-head with two wins, one loss, and a draw. Earlier, they had beaten Mohun Bagan in the CFL Premier Division and Durand Cup derbies but lost the IFA Shield final on penalties earlier this month.
At the GMC Stadium in Bambolim, Dempo Sports Club and Chennaiyin FC ended their campaigns with a 1-1 draw. Shubham Rawat’s brilliant 25th-minute free-kick gave Dempo the lead, but Chennaiyin goalkeeper Samik Mitra produced a stunning equaliser from his own half just four minutes later.
Despite Dempo’s second-half push and a missed chance by Irfan Yadwad in the 75th minute, both teams exited the competition, finishing third and fourth in Group A respectively.
