Pride, points at stake as old rivals East Bengal, Mohammedan SC gear up for high-voltage clash

An old rivalry will be renewed in new settings when struggling East Bengal FC take on even more out-of-depth first-timers Mohammedan SC in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) here on Sunday.

- STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE KOLKATA, 15 FEBRUARY

The two teams have clashed with each other on numerous occasions in the local Kolkata league for years but will be meeting in the Indian Super League (ISL) only for the second time.

East Bengal FC are currently placed 11th with 18 points from 19 games, having won once and lost thrice in their previous five matches. However, four goalless games in their last five fixtures have dented their progress and the Red & Gold Brigade would want to regain their scoring touch and solidify their position with 15 points still to play for them in the league.

At the bottom of the standings, Mohammedan SC have gone through a difficult debut campaign in the ISL, earning 11 points from 19 encounters.

The team has scored just nine goals in the competition, conceding 34, and is coming into this game on the back of a three-game-long losing streak. In the earlier fixture between these two sides in November, both sides had settled for a goalless draw.