SILIGURI: It was a story that would have written itself. On Saturday, the Kolkata derby, one of the most consequential ones in recent years, takes place at the Salt Lake Stadium, writing a decisive chapter in the I-League title race. More than 70,000 people are present, egging on their teams for what turns out to be a tightly fought game. The city itself is divided along two colours — maroon & green, red & gold. The next day, with India out and the city exhausted by an eventful derby, less than half the number turn up for the T20 World Cup final. For once, football trumps cricket in the country.
But this is Indian football we are talking about. It never wins, not even by accident. Blame it on divine will or mortal design, the Kolkata derby will not be held in the City of Joy, but an overnight train journey away in Siliguri. The attendance will be a more modest 25,000 that the Kanchenjunga Stadium here can hold.
Siliguri, for one, is trying its best to pass off as Kolkata. Vendors selling the cheap fake versions of the club shirts have already occupied strategic corners of the stadium. A group of East Bengal fans are in the middle of a membership drive, educating the crowd around them about the perks that come with being an official fan-club member. Every five minutes, someone turns up at the stadium gates asking about the tickets that sold out on Thursday, returning with the sort of crushed expression that you might find outside hospitals. Siliguri’s imitation of the City of Joy is very well done, but with one flaw. It just is not Kolkata.
On derby day, the Salt Lake Stadium, packed to the brim, turns into a living, breathing organism. And the next day, half the city wakes up in paradise, while the other half stays in bed.
Perhaps this banished derby is the best example of the permanently make-shift state that Indian football finds itself in. Bagan, the defending champs, are three points above Bengaluru FC, having played a game more. East Bengal are five points behind, and a win would inject fresh and vital life into their flailing title bid. A misstep here almost certainly means doom for both clubs.
Even more interesting are the undercurrents that dominate the narratives for the Kolkata giants. Bagan coach Sanjoy Sen will be absent, but will be on a high nevertheless, after having his ban reduced. For East Bengal, there are the rumours of Bernard Mendy falling out with head coach Biswajit Bhattacharya. Yet, for all the significance attached to this game, a month ago, nobody even knew where it was going to be held. Indian football, ladies and gentlemen!
Form Guide
East Bengal: W W L L W
Mohun Bagan: w w D W L
How Things Stand...
Table-toppers suffered a major setback in Aizawl in their last match. East Bengal are hot on their heels at third spot, a win could bring them closer to their arch-rivals.
East Bengal’s Ranti Martins, who scored in the previous clash between the teams, is leading the scorers’ chart with 11 goals. Bagan’s Cornell Glen is second with 7.
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