Kolkata Derby
in Kolkata, IndiaCategory: Attraction
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73, Huzuri Mull Ln, Lebutala, Bowbazar, Kolkata, West Bengal 700012, India Print route »
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Kolkata Derby, locally known as Boro match (or 'Big Match' in Bengali), is the football match between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal. The rivalry between these two teams is almost 100 years old, and features in the FIFA's classic derby list. The matches witness large audience attendance and rivalry between patrons. It is considered to be Asia's Biggest rivalry.
The two clubs currently meet at least 3 times a year, twice in the I-League and once in the Calcutta Football League. Often these two clubs meet in other competitions like the Federation Cup, the IFA Shield, the Durand Cup etc.
Both teams have huge and dedicated fan bases around the world. Both clubs represent a specific class of Bengali people, Mohun Bagan represents people existing in the western part of Bengal (known as Ghotis), while East Bengal is primarily supported by people hailing from the eastern part of pre-independence Bengal province (known as Bangals).
Culturally, this derby is very similar to Scottish Premier League's Old Firm derby, since a majority of the Mohun Bagan supporters represent the 'nativist' population (similar to Rangers FC) and a majority of the East Bengal fans represent the 'immigrant' population (similar to Celtic FC). However, many people having origin in Bangladesh also support Mohun Bagan as it is the oldest football club in India. Similarly, some people of West Bengal origin support East Bengal considering it is football club of India.
