The first Kolkata derby of the 2016-17 season is scheduled for Sept. 7, the Indian Football Association (IFA), which is the official football governing body in West Bengal, has mentioned. To be played at the Kalyani Stadium, the match could easily turn out to be the title decider of the ongoing Calcutta Football League 2016 (CFL 2016).
East Bengal are looking for their seventh consecutive CFL crown this time around, while Mohun Bagan are willing to play spoilsport for the Red and Golds. The Red and Golds, coached by Trevor Morgan, have won all their matches in the coveted tournament this season. Mohun Bagan, coached by Sanjoy Sen, too, are catching up to their arch-rivals in the league table.
This is also the first time ever that the high-intensity and historical match will be played at the Kalyani Stadium as the iconic Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata undergoes renovation ahead of next year's FIFA U-17 World Cup. The ISL 2016 matches too, won't be taking place at the Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan, but at the Rabindra Sarovar Stadium.
With a game of such a big intensity taking place, security concerns have been raised as well. However, the organisers are hopeful that the match will take place smoothly.
"A temporary stand will be built in the next few days [at the Kalyani Stadium] which will increase the capacity by another 7,000 [the normal capacity of the ground being 16,000]. So, the supporters of the two teams will be seated in opposite ends of the ground," Nilimesh Roy Chowdhury, a local politician and a local organising committee member, told Goal.
"We got the confirmation today [Thursday] only, so I can't give out specific details at the moment. There is nothing to be worried about. We are also planning felicitations for former players and coaches [during the match]."
The Red and Golds are currently on 15 points after five wins from five matches, while the Mariners stay on 13 points with four wins and a draw from five games. Catch the full fixtures of the tournament here.
According to Kolkata daily The Telegraph, 50 percent of the tickets from the derby will be distributed between the clubs, while the IFA will put the remaining tickets up for sale for the public.
