Durand final: Mohun Bagan will start as favourites against Gokulam Kerala

Mohun Bagan defeated Real Kashmir 3-1 in the extra time in the semi-final. While Gokulam Kerala shocked East Bengal 3-2 on penalties in the extra time.

Kolkata: Kolkata's soccer giants Mohun Bagan will start as favourites when they take on Gokulam Kerala FC in the final of 129th Durand Cup at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Saturday.

Mohun Bagan defeated Real Kashmir 3-1 in the extra time in the semi-final. This will be their first final since 2009 when they won the cup a record 16 times.

While Gokulam Kerala shocked East Bengal 3-2 on penalties in the extra time.

"It will be an open match. I don't think we are favourites. Both teams have the same possibility to win. It is 50-50. Both teams are equally good and played tough matches in the semifinals," Mohun Bagan coach Kibu Vicuna said at the pre-match press conference.

Gokulam head coach Fernando Valera added that it will be a battle of nerves in the clash between two I-League outfits.

"It'll be a battle of nerves what I feel. We had played the game against East Bengal with responsibility. Now, we don't want to lose our focus before the final," Valera said.

Mohun Bagan last bagged Asia's oldest tournament (Durand Cup) in 2000 beating Mahindra United 2-1 by a golden goal.