Cummings’ Gesture Sparks Controversy After Kolkata Derby
Jason Cummings of Mohun Bagan stirred up a storm after he showed his middle finger to fans following a 2-1 loss to East Bengal in the Durand Cup quarterfinal on August 17. The incident took place as Cummings boarded the team bus, echoing an infamous moment from former Australian cricketer Greg Chappell at Eden Gardens back in 2005.
The tension escalated with East Bengal supporters cheering “Jai East Bengal” when Cummings reportedly responded with the inappropriate gesture, which quickly ignited backlash on social media.
In the match, East Bengal’s Dimitrios Diamantakos was the standout player, scoring two goals. He found the net with a penalty in the 38th minute and added another in the 52nd, giving East Bengal a commanding 2-0 lead. Mohun Bagan’s Anirudh Thapa managed to pull one back with a stunning shot in the 67th minute, making it 2-1.
The game wasn’t without its drama; Mohun Bagan fans were upset over a controversial penalty that led to Diamantakos’ second goal. East Bengal’s coach, Oscar Bruzon, praised his team for staying composed under pressure, while Mohun Bagan’s coach, Jose Molina, dealt with injuries to key players.
As a result of this victory, East Bengal is set to face Diamond Harbour FC in the semifinals on August 20. Diamond Harbour recently surprised everyone by defeating ISL side Jamshedpur FC 2-0.
For East Bengal, this win was not only about moving forward in the Durand Cup but also a significant moment against their long-time rivals. This victory also marked a welcome change of fortunes, as they had previously lost four straight derby matches to Mohun Bagan since their last win on January 19, 2024.
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