Zeljkovic strike helps Mohun Bagan claim 22nd IFA Shield title with win over East Bengal

KOLKATA: (Oct 8) Riding on Samir Zeljkovic’s solitary strike, Mohun Bagan Super Giant retained the IFA Shield with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over arch-rivals East Bengal in a fiercely contested Kolkata Derby at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan here on Thursday.

Bosnian midfielder Zeljkovic scored the decisive goal in the 45th minute, converting shortly before the interval to give the Mariners their 22nd IFA Shield title.

This is the 22nd time that Mohun Bagan claimed the prestigious tournament and after nearly five decades that they have won the Calcutta Football League (CFL) and IFA Shield in same season. Last time they achieved the feat, late PK Banerjee was the coach in the year 1976.