Durand Cup: Mumbai City Up Against Home Side Mohun Bagan Super Giant In Final Quarter-final Clash

26.08.2023 - 18:51 sports.ndtv.com

The football-crazy city's hallowed Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) is all set to witness yet another blockbuster game of football, when reigning Indian Super League (ISL) premiership winners Mumbai City FC (MCFC) come up against home side Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG) in the fourth and final quarter-final of the 132nd Durand Cup.

The kick-off is at 6 pm Indian Standard Time (IST). The Juan Ferrando-schooled MBSG had to undergo some anxious moments before confirming their place in the last eight, but fans are justified to believe that they had done enough in the tournament to deserve their place in the knockouts.

Ferrando, with two AFC Cup games on his mind, appeared outwitted by Emami East Bengal's Carles Cuadrat in the Kolkata derby, however, their performances against the Bangladesh Army and Punjab FC, their other two opponents left no doubt on the quality and depth they possessed as a side.

They followed up the derby blip up with two thoroughly professional wins in their AFC cup games and the latest attacking signing Jason Cummings too seems to have settled down now.

Football country UPS performer Mumbai City cup India Bangladesh

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) on Tuesday decided to keep the Asia Cup Super 4 and final matches in Colombo itself as the weather in the Sri Lankan capital has shown signs of improvement. It has been speculated over the last few days that the Super 4 and final games of the Asia Cup could be shifted to Hambantota after heavy rains lashed Colombo. The PTI has been informed that the ACC held parleys with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), hosts Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the official broadcaster before arriving at the decision to keep the matches in Colombo itself.

Arch-Rivals Mohun Bagan, East Bengal To Fight It Out For Durand Cup Title

The stage is set for the year's biggest face-off in Indian domestic football as fierce rivals Mohun Bagan Super Giants and East Bengal FC lock horns in the grand finale of the Durand Cup in Kolkata on Sunday. It will be a battle of nerves and emotions between the two giants at the Salt Lake Stadium, as fans of both teams get ready to paint the stadium in green and maroon and red and gold. The clash would be a repeat of the 2004 Durand Cup final, which East Bengal won 2-1.

Alleged Incidents Of Racism Mar East Bengal's Durand Cup Semifinal Win, AIFF Promises 'Strict Action'

East Bengal's remarkable victory against NorthEast United FC in the Durand Cup semifinal was overshadowed by allegations of racism, with the visiting team fans reporting instances of racial slurs and being targeted with stones and slippers during the match. The 16-time champions exhibited one of the greatest comebacks as they overturned a two-goal deficit in the last two minutes and secured a thrilling 5-3 victory in penalties to make the Durand Cup final after 19 years.

Nandhakumar Sekar Does Star Turn As East Bengal Enter Durand Cup Final

Nandhakumar Sekar turned out to be East Bengal's darling once again as the red-and-gold defeated NorthEast United FC 5-3 in penalty shootout in a dramatic turnaround to make the Durand Cup final after 19 years. With one minute left on the clock, it was Nandhakumar's header (90 7th) that helped East Bengal make a dramatic turnaround as they came back from being 0-2 down to make it 2-2 and force a penalty shoot-out. Nandhakumar then sealed the issue in the penalty shoot-out after Cleiton Silva, Saul Crespo, Borja Herrera and Naorem Mahesh converted their chances. Brazilian Ibson De Melo, Gani Ahmmed Nigam and Pragyan Gogoi scored for the Highlanders and it was their third attempt that proved decisive.

Durand Cup: Clinical Mohun Bagan Beat Mumbai City FC 3-1 To Enter Semi-finals

Reigning Indian Super League champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant came up with a fine performance to outplay Mumbai City FC 3-1 in the fourth quarterfinal of the Durand Cup on Sunday. For Mohun Bagan, the goal-scorers were Jason Cummings, Manvir Singh and Anwar Ali, whereas Jorge Pereyra Diaz scored the consolation goal for Mumbai. The former will be up against FC Goa in the semifinals here on Thursday. Mumbai City head coach Des Buckingham named a strong XI, with Diaz, Bipin Singh and Lallianzuala Chhangte leading the attack, while Rahul Bheke, Mehtab Singh, Akash Mishra and Yoell Van Nieff were in the defence.

Durand Cup 2023: Gokulam Kerala Defender Aminou Bouba's Howler Hands East Bengal Semi-final Berth

East Bengal managed to edge past Gokulam Kerala 2-1 in the quarterfinal of the Durand Cup in Kolkata on Friday, courtesy strike from Jordan Elsey and an own goal from Aminou Bouba. East Bengal will now take on its Indian Super League counterpart Northeast United in the semi-final on Tuesday. The red and gold head coach Carles Cuadrat fielded an unchanged starting line-up from the last group game, whereas Gokulam boss Domingo Oramas Cabrera made eight changes from its last contest, bringing in all his regular starters.