Durand Cup: Home favourites hope for strong start to wrest early advantage
Top Indian Super League (ISL) teams Emami East Bengal FC (16-time former winners) and Jamshedpur FC (former ISL League Winners Shield winners) kick-off one after another on the first two match days, while at least three local derbies, featuring other top local contenders like Mohammedan Sporting (former champions), Shillong Lajong FC and Neroca FC (former finalists), are also likely to garner significant local interest. With teams like ISL champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant, defending champions NorthEast United FC and ISL side Punjab FC beginning in week two, early three points will give a fillip to the early starters looking to seal knockout berths.
The openers
The two games down in the plains before moving up to the beautiful hills of the North East, features giants East Bengal against Bengaluru League top division side South United FC in a tricky Group A opener, also the first game of the tournament, at home at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) in Kolkata.
That will be followed the next day by Jamshedpur taking on Nepal's Tribhuvan Army at their home at the JDR Tata Sports Complex in the Steel City. The Red Miners also play their second Group C game in week one, against the Malaysian Army outfit this time and nothing short of two wins will satisfy their growing fan base.
Likewise, now with a new line-up of foreign recruits in their camp, fans of the Red & Gold brigade will demand nothing less than a confident win in their opener.
The three derbies
The first derby of the 134th IndianOil Durand Cup, this year features a different kind of Kolkata derby, with the century-old Mohammedan Sporting taking on Calcutta Premier Division League rivals Diamond Harbour FC (DHFC), the I-League 2 champions. Mohammedan are looking for their first win over the newly formed and fast rising outfit, with DHFC winning one of the two matches played between them so far.
The second will see the ever-popular Shillong Lajong FC, take on another Shillong side Rangdaijed United, with both teams on the path to regain lost glory. The Shillong derby will be played at the JLN stadium as the opening game of Group E.
The final derby of week one will witness the famous Imphal derby between old rivals Neroca FC and TRAU FC as the Durand Cup makes a return to the capital of Manipur. It will sure be a treat to see the picturesque Khuman Lampak packed with football lovers once again.
Matches live: Sony Ten2 and SonyLIV
Source: Organisers
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Hans India
4 hours ago
- Hans India
Durand Cup 2025: Shillong Lajong FC and Rangdajied FC face off in Shillong Derby
City rivals Shillong Lajong FC and Rangdajied FC will face each other in the intense Shillong Derby, which will be played on Tuesday at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, while Jamshedpur FC will hope to turn it around against Indian Army FT at the JRD Tata Sports Complex in the 134th Durand Cup. Both Shillong Lajong and Jamshedpur FC have started the tournament with victories against Malaysian Armed Forces and Tribhuvan Army FC, respectively. Shillong Lajong, last year's semifinalists, got the better of Rangdajied FC with a 2-0 victory en route with the help of goals from current captain Kenstar Kharshong and Ronney Wilson, who has made the move to FC Goa. This win was important as Shillong Lajong made a run into the semifinals, where they went down to eventual champions NorthEast United FC. They were rampant in the first group match, thrashing Malaysian Armed Forces 6-0 with Phrangki Buam and Everbrightson Sana scoring twice and Treimiki Lamurong and Deibormamae Tongper scoring one each. The Red Dragons will hope to continue the same form against their city rivals. 'Every match is important and a must-win game for us. Rangdajied is a strong side with many young and talented players, much like our own team. I believe it will be a good contest. A win will take us one step closer to the knockout stage,' said Birendra Thapa, head coach of Shillong Lajong', said Shillong Lajong FC Head Coach Birendra Thapa. On the other end, Rangdajied FC, who finished third in the Shillong Premier League (SPL), will look to get the better of their city rivals. Rangdajied lost both their SPL matches 1-2 to Lajong earlier in the season and will hope they put in a better performance in the Durand Cup. Speaking ahead of the match, Rangdajied FC Head Coach Aibanjop Shadap said, 'A derby match is always special, no matter where you are in the world. We will give our best on the field to make our fans proud and aim for a positive result. But we know it will be a tough game. Lajong is a strong side with the experience of playing in the I-League and are better than us in many aspects.' In Jamshedpur, the Red Miners will look to improve their performance from last year, when they were knocked out in the group stages after losing to Indian Army FT 2-3, despite leading 2-0 at halftime in the group decider. Jamshedpur have started the campaign with a 3-2 win over Nepal's Tribhuvan Army FC with goals from Sarthak Goloui, Manvir Singh, and Nikhil Barla. Khalid Jamil's men will look to secure their second win in the group to move closer to the knockout stage. Khalid Jamil expressed his thoughts before the match, saying, 'It is a good sign that we are able to field young players on our squad. They should also get a chance to prove themselves. The Indian Army is a very good team. They have good players, and their coach is also good. So we can't take the match lightly. We have to work hard and focus to get positive results.' Indian Army FT under Manish Wahi is a well-drilled and disciplined unit and will look to start their Durand Cup campaign with a win. Experienced players like Rahul Rmakrishnan, Shafeel PP, Samir Murmu, Liton Shil, Zothanpuia, and P. Christopher Kamei will use their experience to give their side a good start. With two matches that could potentially decide the standings in the respective groups, tomorrow promises to be an exciting day in the tournament.


News18
10 hours ago
- News18
Durand Cup 2025: Mohammedan SC And Diamond Harbour FC In 'Kolkata Derby'
Last Updated: Mohammedan Sporting Club and Diamond Harbour FC kick-off their 134th Edition Durand Cup 2025 campaign with a Group B clash. On paper it is a Kolkata derby as Indian Super League (ISL) side Mohammedan Sporting Club take on I-League 2 champions Diamond Harbour FC in the 134th edition of the Durand Cup at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) on Monday. It should be a mismatch on paper again, a team from the first division of the country against a side climbing the ranks steadily. But the reality is far from it. West Bengal's Diamond Harbour FC was established in 2022 by All India Trinamool Congress National General Secretary and the Member of Parliament of Diamond Harbour, Abhishek Banerjee. Kibu Vicuna, who has previously helmed Mohun Bagan and Kerala Blasters, was appointed as the club's first head coach and still is at the helm. In 2025, DHFC are making their debut in the Durand Cup after winning back-to-back promotions in I-League 3 and 2 to reach I-League. Diamond Harbour have come prepared for their first bow in the oldest tournament in Asia. Statement signings like striker Luka Majcen of Punjab FC alongside players with ISL experience – like Jobby Justin, Melroy Assisi, Wungngayam Muirang, Mirshad Michu and Halicharan Narzary. Despite having established names in their ranks have seen their stature diminish in the last few years, despite winning the I-League and gaining promotion to the ISL. Financial mismanagement, absence of investors and a general lack of funds have seen multiple players leave the side over the summer. FIFA and AIFF transfer bans have rightfully ensued. As per local media reports, last season's club captain Samad Ali Mallick was forced to leave the side in order to earn a living. Mohammedan still have Amarjit Singh Kiyam, Gaurav Bora, Padam Chhetri and Abhishek Halder along with young starlets like Ashley Alban Koli and Makan Winkle Chote but will play the tournament with a blend of reserve squad players, talented Bengal-based footballers, and promising youth prospects. Head coach Mehrajuddin Wadoo, who had taken over the reigns mid-way through last season will hope that the margin of defeat will not mean ousting from the Durand Cup after the first game itself. Goal-difference and margin of victories may come into play in a group that includes last year's runners up and 17 times champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant along with Border Security Force FT. A derby on paper but a contest that may see change of guard in Kolkata football. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.


New Indian Express
a day ago
- New Indian Express
ITBP edge past ten men Karbi Anglong Morning Star in Group D opener
Durand Cup debutants Indo Tibetan Border Police FT edged past ten men Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC 2-1 in the Group D opener of the 134th Indian Oil Durand Cup which was played at the SAI Stadium in Kokrajhar. Lunminlen Haokip gave the lead for Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC but goals from Pulung Diamary and Hemraj Bhujel gave the para military side the victory and three crucial points. Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC (KAMSFC) Head Coach C A Laldinsang Pudaite named a strong line up which included three foreigners in Joseph Olaleye, Victor Jackson and Ben Nash Quansh while ITBF FT Head Coach Surojit Kumar named a strong line up in a traditional 4-4-2 formation. In another match, a headed goal by Indian Air Force FT defender Sankit, in the last minute of added time, helped his team earn a thrilling 3-3 draw against debutants South United FC (SUFC), whose number nine Makakmayum Daniyal had earlier set alight the Durand Cup, with the first hattrick of the tournament. In a Group A encounter played at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan (KBK), the Boys in Green from Bengaluru, in their debut campaign at Asia's oldest tournament and coming off a 0-5 reverse in their first game, displayed exceptional character against much experienced opponents led by the calm and clinical Daniyal, but in the end both teams deservedly spit points. In Assam, both debutant teams were trying to take control of the midfield which made an intriguing battle with both sides cancelling each other out in the centre of the field. KAMSFC, who play in I-League 3, were reduced to ten men in just the 23rd minute when Ghanaian centre back Ben Nash Quansh received a direct red card for a reckless two footed challenge. The referee has no choice but to send off the defender. ITBP took control of possession using the man advantage but it was the side from Assam who drew first blood. Lunminlen Haokip neatly finished a counter attacking move to give his side the lead in the 30th minute. The striker could have doubled the lead minutes later when he pounced on a mistake by the ITBP goalkeeper Ugesh Lama. The goalkeeper could not gather a cross cleanly and Lunminlen who was lurking around pounced but could not put the finishing touches. ITBP equalised in the final minute of first half regulation time through Pulung Daimary, whose neat side footed finish found the bottom right corner after taking a deflection of the defender. KAMSFC were brave with their attacking plays, without fearing about the man disadvantage with Joseph Olaleye creating the most trouble, but there weren't any clear cut chances that troubled the ITBP goalkeeper. ITBP scored the second goal in the 60th minute with a neat team move. Srikumar Karjee received a long diagonal pass in the right wing and the winger fended off two defenders and drilled a low cross into the box which was expertly finished by Hemraj Bhujel past the diving goalkeeper Gojen Hanse. The Assam side could not create any meaningful chances even after having the ball inside the opposition's half as the man disadvantage made it difficult to have more people inside the box. The best chance to equalise came deep into stoppage time but ITBP goalkeeper punched a header by Lunminlen which was heading into the goal. ITBP maintained the slender advantage until the final whistle and secured three crucial points in the group. Durand Cup action will shift to Kolkata on Monday, as Kolkata giants Mohammedan SC will take on another Kolkata side Diamond Harbour FC in an enthralling Group B fixture at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan. All matches live on Sony Sports