Guwahati sees rare display of camaraderie between Bagan and Aizawl fans at Fed Cup final

GUWAHATI BORE WITNESS to a rare moment of fan camaraderie as Mohun Bagan and Aizawl FC fans celebrated being part of a historic Federation Cup final together.

While a bit of the usual banter was present between the two sets of opposing fans during the match, the 3,000-odd supporters almost all of whom had travelled from Bengal and Mizoram to witness this match put up a show of solidarity for Aizawl FC's right to be in the top division and Indian football in general.

Before the match began, Bagan and Aizawl fans were seen hugging each other, singing together and taking pictures. Despite there being no barriers between the fans in the stands, no untoward incident took place at the Indira Gandhi Stadium. 

After the match was over, the Aizawl FC fans were seen applauding the Mohun Bagan team as they collected their medals and trophy. Afterwards, many of the Bagan fans, especially a fan group called Mariners Base Camp, came forward to give a guard of honour to both Aizawl and Bagan players and staff as they walked out of the stadium into their team buses.

As the Aizawl team left the stadium, both Bagan and Aizawl fans were heard chanting in unison, "We want Aizawl, bring back Aizawl", an appeal to AIFF so that they re-consider the relegation of Aizawl FC from the I-League.

Late in the night, many of the fans who had brought vehicles were seen offering lifts to others who had no means of transportation to their hotels or the train station irrespective of which club they supported.

In a football landscape where fan rivalry often takes on ugly and violent forms, the 37th Federation Cup final saw an alternative scenario that made the occasion even more memorable for everyone involved.