Kolkata Derby

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The Kolkata Derby (locally known as "Boro Match" i.e. "Big Match") is the football match in Kolkata, between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal. The rivalry between these two teams dates back to over a century, and the matches witnessed large audience attendance and rivalry between patrons. It is considered to be the biggest Asian footballing rivalry. The first match was played on 8 August 1921 in Cooch Behar Cup. The Kolkata Derby is considered to be greatest derby in Asian Football and also one of the biggest derbies in the world. The two clubs meet at least three times a year, twice in the Indian Super League and once in the Calcutta Football League. Often these two clubs met in other competitions like the Durand Cup, IFA Shield and Super Cup. Both clubs have large and dedicated fan bases around the world, and represent specific sections of Bengali people, Mohun Bagan represents people of western part of Bengal (known as Ghotis), while East Bengal represents people from eastern part of pre-independence Bengal (known as Bangals). Culturally, this derby is similar to the Scottish Professional Football League's Old Firm derby, since the Mohun Bagan supporters represent the 'nativist' population of Indian Bengalis' (similar to Rangers) and the East Bengal fans represent the 'immigrant' population coming from Bangladesh (similar to Celtic). The celebrations of a derby win is traditionally marked with dishes prepared from either ilish or golda chingri, depending on which team wins. The East Bengal supporters celebrate their win with ilish courses, being associated to the eastern region of Bengal (now Bangladesh), where as the Mohun Bagan fans celebrate with courses of golda chingri.