Sport · India Bureau
Mohun Bagan clinch IFA Shield with derby victory over East Bengal
Mohun Bagan Super Giant claimed their 22nd IFA Shield title with a 1-0 victory over arch-rivals East Bengal in Thursday's Kolkata Derby. The triumph marks the first time in nearly five decades that the Mariners have won both the Calcutta Football League and IFA Shield in the same season.
LSN India ·
Bosnian midfielder Samir Zeljkovic scored the decisive goal in the 45th minute at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, guiding Mohun Bagan to a hard-fought victory in the fiercely contested derby clash.
Zeljkovic's strike on the stroke of half-time proved sufficient to secure the silverware for the Mariners, who have now added the IFA Shield to their Calcutta Football League crown this season. The last occasion Mohun Bagan achieved this domestic double was in 1976 under late coach PK Banerjee.
Neither side delivered a particularly fluid performance, though Mohun Bagan appeared considerably more composed than in their recent Durand Cup final meeting with East Bengal, where they suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat. Thursday's display suggested a significant improvement in form heading into the remainder of their campaign.
The victory underscores Mohun Bagan's resurgence in recent weeks following the Durand Cup setback and reinforces their status as serious contenders in Indian club football.