Kolkata Derby: More hype then substance?

The seasons first Kolkata derby was played last night at the Saltlake Stadium infront of more then 90.000 spectators. Coming to the simple match stats, Mohun Bagan won 1-0 against East Bengal through a penalty from Nigerian Odafe Onyeka Okolie. It was the first derby win for the green-and-maroon in over a year, but it was a game that lived of the suspense...

The question that I asked myself after yesterdays match was simple: Is the Kolkata derby these days more hype then substance? I fear it is so though the fans still go and watch the derby in huge numbers, which would make European football giants proud.

But why is it so? People in Kolkata and Bengal will not like to hear it, but Indian football has moved on beyond Kolkata. One thing that the old National Football League and now the I-League have achieved is to spread the game to certain pockets in India, though not across the nation. There is top class football in Goa, Mumbai, Kerala, Pune and Shillong.

The I-League is an Indian League and not a Kolkata centric league anymore with the Kolkata clubs spending huge money on star signings, getting the maximum media coverage and creating the biggest hype; but at the end of the day winning the Federation Cup for most of the last few years will not be enough then the Goans and former Mumbai club Mahindra United have been winning the NFL/I-League title regularly in recent years.

The two giants of Kolkata football actually have local competition in Prayag United SC (former Chirag United SC) on the field, though off the field it is close to impossible for anyone except Mohammedan Sporting causing them any worries on the fan front.

But rather then fighting their own little battles, the two giants of Kolkata should focus on bringing the lost glory of an I-League title back to the City of Joy. Then winning the Santosh Trophy shouldn't be what the football crazy state should be proud off...