The 133rd Durand Cup is about to kick off the 2024-25 soccer season on July 27 in Kolkata, with defending champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant going through Downtown Heroes FC. The event will characteristic 24 groups competing in a round-robin league format, with six group winners and two finest second-placed groups advancing to the knockout spherical, as per a press launch from the Indian Super League (ISL). Group A of this century-old home event consists of two record-holding title winners: Mohun Bagan SG and East Bengal FC. They can be joined by Downtown Heroes FC and Indian Air Force FT, representing the armed forces from India.
The two finalists from the 2023 Durand Cup are as soon as once more pitted in the identical group for the third consecutive time. Moreover, the Mariners and the Red and Gold Brigade are the 2 most profitable groups on this event, with the Kolkata giants having received the title a report 33 instances, with Mohun Bagan getting 17 of those titles.
Last 12 months, East Bengal FC and Mohun Bagan SG met twice: as soon as within the group stage and as soon as within the closing. Although Carles Cuadrat’s East Bengal facet bested their rivals within the group stage, the Mariners triumphed within the closing, claiming their seventeenth Durand Cup title.
The two groups will as soon as once more conflict within the iconic Kolkata Derby within the closing match of Group A at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan. The results of this high-stakes encounter might decide which Kolkata-based staff advances to the knockout rounds.
Downtown Heroes FC, making their second consecutive look within the Durand Cup after debuting final season, is a comparatively new membership based in 2020. Based in Jammu and Kashmir, they concentrate on creating younger expertise. They additionally participated within the 2022-23 I-League Division 2 however didn’t advance to the ultimate spherical.
In addition to those groups, Indian Air Force FT can be competing for the title. Their participation might add a component of shock to the group stage and make the qualification race much more intriguing.
Mohun Bagan SG will kick off their Durand Cup marketing campaign because the event’s reigning champions. In addition to securing the Durand Cup, the Mariners additionally received the ISL Shield final season and can intention to proceed their trophy-winning spree as they begin a brand new chapter with Jose Francisco Molina returning as the top coach.
This summer time, Mohun Bagan SG have bolstered their squad with notable international signings, together with Jamie Maclaren, Greg Stewart, Alberto Rodriguez, and Tom Aldred. With these high-profile additions, the Kolkata membership is decided to retain their title and efficiently navigate the challenges of the group stage.
The different Kolkata large has additionally constructed a formidable squad for the upcoming season by buying the companies of final season’s standout performers, together with Dimitrios Diamantakos, Madih Talal, Jeakson Singh, and others. The Red and Gold Brigade, who missed out on silverware final 12 months by the best margin, will intention to shut the hole this time to safe their seventeenth Durand Cup win, thereby levelling the tally with their arch-rivals.
Additionally, Cuadrat’s tenure has seen East Bengal FC undergo just one loss in cup competitions, which was within the closing of the Durand Cup final season towards Mohun Bagan SG. With a extra balanced squad this 12 months, the Red and Gold Brigade are set on delivering spectacular performances within the Durand Cup to kick off the 2024-25 season with success.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is printed from a syndicated feed.)
East Bengal
Football
Durand Cup
