EB has the edge over Mahindras

NEW DELHI, OCT 30: Beating Mohun Bagan has always been East Bengal's priority because it not only stamps their superiority over the other...

NEW DELHI, OCT 30: Beating Mohun Bagan has always been East Bengal’s priority because it not only stamps their superiority over the other Calcutta team but also acts as a morale booster.

After humbling Bagan 2-0 in the semi-final of the Kelvinator Durand Cup, the world’s second oldest soccer tournament, East Bengal just have to complete formalities of keeping their Durand Cup title record intact. Against a resurgent Mahindra and Mahindra (Mumbai), the Calcutta giants are showing signs of guarded optimism.

With Dipendu Biswas back to boost their attack, East Bengal hope to clinch the trophy for the 15th time. As far as records are concerned, East Bengal have an edge over their rivals as they had defeated Mahindras in the Durand Cup final in 1990.

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They are not solely dependent on Biswas because he is often heavily guarded. Their star-striker against Bagan on Thursday, Bijen Singh, is ably supported by Ghanaian Emanuel Opoku and Basudev Mondal in the mid-field who, alongwith Renedy Singh, can createseveral goal-worthy moves.

Mahindras have come back strongly with the help of new coach SS Hakim and have overcome the relegation humiliation in the National Football League. With their defence being the strongest point, they hope to avenge their 1990 defeat.

The Mumbai team will rely a lot on deep defender Mumawar Hussain, imported from Dhaka Mohammedan Sporting. Mumbai league top scorer Manjit Singh, an East Bengal reject, has so far shown sharpness at the goalmouth while the mid-field is taken care by Shamsi Raza, Andrew Louis and Satish Minz.

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