The second semi-final of the 1997 Indian Federation Cup was played between arch-rivals East Bengal and Mohun Bagan at Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata on 13 July 1997. Called the Kolkata Derby, the match was won by East Bengal 4–1 courtesy of a hat-trick, first ever in the derby's history, from Bhaichung Bhutia. Nazim-ul-Haque opened the scoring early on for East Bengal before Bhutia's goal took the lead to 2–0. Chima Okorie managed to pull one back for Mohun Bagan in the second half, but Bhutia's twin strikes in four minutes sealed the game for East Bengal.