The match, which carried significant local prestige, saw Mohun Bagan take the lead through Manvir Singh in the first half. However, East Bengal’s persistence paid off after the interval when substitute Mohammed Bilal found the back of the net to level the score. The draw ensured East Bengal finished the group stage in first place with 27 points from 11 matches, edging out Bhawanipore on goal difference, while Mohun Bagan concluded in third position with 23 points.
A Tactical Battle at Barasat
Mohun Bagan entered the contest with a clear intent to dominate, deploying a lineup that featured established names such as Mehtab Singh, Rahul Bheke, Subhasish Bose, Apuia, Sahal Abdul Samad, and Manvir Singh. Despite enjoying over 60 percent of the possession, the favourites struggled to consistently break down a disciplined East Bengal defensive unit. The breakthrough finally arrived in the 38th minute when Manvir capitalised on a long ball, firing a shot through the legs of defender Ankan Bhattacharya and past goalkeeper Gourav Sau to break the deadlock.
East Bengal, led by the energetic efforts of Vijay Murmu and Chaku Mandi, refused to fold. The momentum shifted in the second half following the introduction of Mohammed Bilal, who replaced the injured Manotosh in the 53rd minute. The tactical change injected fresh intensity into the East Bengal attack, leading to a series of dangerous opportunities. After a defensive mix-up between Mehtab and Dipravat Ghosh nearly gifted the youngsters an equaliser, Bilal eventually made his mark by heading home a precise corner kick from Vijay.
Missed Opportunities and Final Standings
Following the equaliser, the match opened up as both sides pushed for a winner. East Bengal, in particular, will rue missed chances to claim all three points, with Bilal unable to convert a promising cross from Joy Baz in the closing stages. Mohun Bagan also had their moments, including a first-half effort from Sahal that was deflected wide, but they were unable to reclaim the lead against a determined opposition.
The result serves as a significant morale booster for East Bengal’s emerging talent, who successfully navigated the derby without the presence of senior squad members. With both clubs having already secured their places in the Super Six, the focus now shifts to the next phase of the tournament as they look to build on their respective group stage campaigns.
