Category: Notice and Updates

Time for the national team show : CAFA Nations Cup ’25

The 2025 CAFA Nations Cup will be the second edition of the tournament organised by the Central Asian Football Association (CAFA) cohosted by Tajikistan and Uzbekistan from August 29 to September 8. India has been announced as the guest team, featuring in Group B with Tajikistan, Iran and Afghanistan. The participant nations of Group A are Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Oman. Iran won the first edition of the CAFA Nations Cup in 2023.

Different ground and environmental conditions, battle against teams with players of strong built-up, new national coach of Indian origin (Khalid Jamil) with fresh strategy – altogether it’s obviously going to be an exciting international exposure for the Blue Tigers. Hope, the boys would perform well and hold our tricolour high. India will take on host nation Tajikistan tomorrow (Aug 29), while the inaugural match will be between Afghanistan and defending champion Iran. This time, the Indian squad have no members from Mohun Bagan though. Let’s have a quick look at the full squad and the group stage fixtures (as per IST) of Group B.

Meme courtesy: AIFF official page

Durand Cup – Boro Match : Preview

Mohun Bagan is committed to sustaining their winning momentum in the Durand Cup 2025 as they prepare to challenge Emami East Bengal at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Sunday, August 17, 2025, at 7:00 PM. The Mariners aim for a decisive win to extend their recent derby victories.

In recent matches, Mohun Bagan has utilized all their available foreign players except for Dimitri Petratos. The Mariners appear eager as they approach their continental tournament. The group stage posed no challenges for them, as they convincingly overpowered their opponents. However, the path ahead will not be straightforward, as the knockout rounds bring the weight of expectation. For Mohun Bagan, this crucial moment is intensified by the presence of their fiercest rivals, making this quarter-final a critical match. The Mariners have yet to encounter an opponent capable of testing their forwards. Nevertheless, the Red and Gold Brigade will not be an easy challenge for the in-form attackers of Mohun Bagan. The ISL champions are keen to overcome their arch-rivals, who represent the most significant obstacle in their pursuit of Durand Cup success.

There are signs of potential injuries arising from the Mariners’ training session, with reports indicating that Manvir Singh and Kiyan Nassiri will be absent for this crucial match, which may impact their attacking options. Additionally, center back Tom Aldred has been reported to be experiencing difficulties following the training session. Jose Molina will face the challenge of leading his team with several key players unavailable.

This match transcends a mere quarter-final; it is a cultural event. With both teams unbeaten and scoring freely, an exciting clash is anticipated. Mohun Bagan’s sharp finishing will meet Emami East Bengal’s relentless pressing approach. The Salt Lake Stadium is poised to be a center of intense emotions, and the result could significantly impact the legacy of both clubs.

Historical Rivalry & Stakes

Club Durand Cup Titles Recent Form Key Players
Mohun Bagan 17 (Record) 3 wins, 12 goals Liston Colaco, Sahal Abdul Samad, Jamie Maclaren
Emami East Bengal 16 3 wins, 12 goals Bipin Singh, Dimitrios Diamantakos

  • This is Indian football’s fiercest rivalry, with over 400 encounters historically.

  • Mohun Bagan have dominated recent top-tier derbies.

  • Mohun Bagan want to break their own record and add one more Durand Cup trophy in their cabinet. 

  • The winner will face the victor of Jamshedpur FC vs Diamond Harbour FC in the semi-finals

Follow our match thread for live update : Match Live Update

Mohun Bagan in Group C of ACL2

AFC Champions League Two Draw

Mohun Bagan has been drawn into Group C of the AFC Champions League Two ‘2025–26, Asia’s second-tier club competition.

The other three contenders of the group are:

    • Sepahan SC (Iran) – Persian Gulf Pro League runners-up

    • Al Hussein SC (Jordan) – Jordanian Pro League champions

    • Ahal FC (Turkmenistan) – Yokary Liga runners-up.

The draw took place in Kuala Lumpur on 15th August, adding a poetic layer to the club’s historic foundation day and nation’s independence day.

Here are the group game fixtures of Mohun Bagan in ACL2 as per the latest updates available from AFC.

Meme courtesy: MBSG Official Media and AFC