IFA Shield Final: Zeljkovic goal seals 1-0 win for Mohun Bagan over East Bengal

Photo credit: X/@mohunbagansg

Mohun Bagan beat arch-rivals East Bengal 1-0 to win the IFA Shield final at Kolkata's iconic Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Thursday, with Bosnian midfielder Samir Zeljkovic scoring the decisive goal just before half-time.At the stroke of half-time, Abdul Sahal Samad sent a lofted ball into the box for Zeljkovic. The Bosnian controlled it with his chest before slotting the ball past the advancing East Bengal goalkeeper Phurba Lachenpa.

The victory gave Mohun Bagan their 22nd IFA Shield title and also completed a rare double, with the club winning both the Calcutta Football League (CFL) and IFA Shield in the same season for the first time in nearly three decades.

The last time they achieved the feat, the team was coached by late PK Banerjee.Mohun Bagan are now seven IFA Shield titles behind East Bengal, who have won the competition 29 times.East Bengal, who beat Mohun Bagan in the Durand Cup final last month, pushed for an equaliser after the break but could not find a way past the Bagan defence.Both teams will now turn their attention to the Indian Super League (ISL), which begins on October 10.Mohun Bagan will face NorthEast United FC on October 12, while East Bengal will begin their title defence away against Churchill Brothers on October 18.