‘ISL will become more competitive with Mohammedan SC’s entry,’ says Mohun Bagan SG captain Subhasish Bose:
‘ISL will become more competitive with Mohammedan SC’s entry,’ says Mohun Bagan SG captain Subhasish Bose: Defending Indian Super League (ISL) champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant captain Subhasish Bose welcomed Mohammedan SC into the tournament and asserted that the competitiveness amongst teams will increase with the number of clubs increasing to 13 from the coming 2024-25 campaign. The Kolkata-based team are gearing for their debut run in the competition after making it to the ISL on the back of winning the I-League 2023-24 season.
Bose expressed pride with the three big clubs of Kolkata football featuring in the ISL now, as the defender sees the ‘City of Joy’ being upbeat with another derby to look forward to in the ISL.
“Three prestigious clubs from Kolkata football, i.e. Mohun Bagan, East Bengal FC, and Mohammedan SC will be a part of the ISL this time. There will be another derby taking place this year, for which I am extremely excited. As a Bengali, I feel great pride in another Kolkata club joining the ISL, and I am sure the league will become more competitive and see better quality of football on display in the coming season,” Bose said in an interview with the Indian Super League.
“The Kolkata derby is one of the most important games in Asian football”
East Bengal FC captain Cleiton Silva anticipates that Mohammedan SC will give a tough run to the other clubs in the league. He is predicting them to surprise many with their performances. The Brazilian striker also touched upon his approach towards the high-octane derby clashes, saying that he prefers to stay calm irrespective of the magnitude of the game.
“The Kolkata derby is one of the most important games in Asian football. I try to be calm and not ponder too much upon the game. We enjoy the matches with the crowd support. Mohammedan SC are a great team and they also won the I-League last year. For sure, they do not want to be behind us. They will want to fight with us in every match and for sure Mohammedan SC will do something special in the ISL this season,” Silva said.
“Mohammedan SC will aim to qualify for the playoffs”
Mohammedan SC captain Samad Ali Mallick has outlined that the club will aim to qualify for the playoffs of the ISL 2024-25. Mallick, 29, is embracing the challenges that will come with playing in the top-tier and is looking forward to rubbing shoulders with the best teams of Indian football.
“The Indian Super League is a great competition and with this being our first foray into the competition, I am sure we will encounter several challenges as well. Our first and foremost objective is to qualify for the top-six and make it to the playoffs this season. We are very pleased to play against the top teams of Indian football in the ISL,” Mallick said.
The ISL 2024-25 season begins with Mohun Bagan Super Giant taking on Mumbai City FC at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on September 13. The opening two Kolkata derbies of the season are scheduled in October – with Mohun Bagan Super Giant playing Mohammedan SC on Saturday, October 5, and then East Bengal FC vs Mohun Bagan Super Giant to be played on Saturday, October 19.
Where to Watch?
ISL 2024-25 matches will be live streamed on the JioCinema application and they will be telecast on the Sports18 network.