Kerala Blasters to face Punjab FC in a Potential Group Decider 

Kerala Blasters to face Punjab FC in a Potential Group Decider 

• Jamshedpur FC to face Chennaiyin FC in the second match of Super Sunday

Kolkata/Jamshedpur, August 3, 2024: Punjab FC will take on Kerala Blasters tomorrow in a crucial encounter which has the chance to be a potential decider in Group C of the 133rd IndianOil Durand Cup. The match scheduled at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan will have a 4 PM kick-off. In the second match of Super Sunday ISL sides Jamshedpur FC and Chennaiyin FC will meet each other at the JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur. The kick-off is scheduled for 7 PM.

All 43 matches of the 133rd IndianOil Durand Cup will be broadcast LIVE on the Sony Sports Network (Sony Ten2 HD) as well as livestreamed on the SonyLiv OTT platform

A rampant Kerala Blasters who scored eight past Mumbai City FC in their first game will meet a confident Punjab FC who posted a comfortable 3-0 victory over CISF Protectors XI. A win for either teams will see them going to the top of the table, setting them up to win the group as both teams will have an comparatively easy fixture in their third match. 

The attacking trio of Adrian Luna, Noah Sadaoui and Kwame Peprah were unstoppable in the previous game and the Punjab defence will have their work cut out against them. Noah and Peprah also scored hat-tricks against Mumbai City in their huge win. On the other hand the new look attack of Punjab FC comprising of Nihal Sudheesh, Leon Augustine, Filip Mrzlijakalong with the old guard Luka Majcen looked creative and dangerous while going forward. 

Speaking ahead of the match Punjab FC Head Coach Panagiotis Dilmperissaid, “We have started the tournament well and are playing very good football. The coordination has been well and the players are quickly getting to know about each other game. Kerala Blasters are a very good side and they are in good form and we are expecting a very good match tomorrow.”

Jamshedpur FC will look for their second win in the group when they face Chennaiyin FC who lost their first match to a solitary goal against Indian Army FT. The Red Miners had beaten Assam Rifles FT 3-0 for their first victory. Chennaiyin FC who are fielding their reserve side will look to register their first points against Khalid Jamil’s boys who showcased some good attacking football in front of their home fans. 

“As a team, in the last game we attacked, especially in the second half. We created chances. But once you create chances, you need to make use of them and try to score. So I think in the next game, we should make use of the chances we create because until you don’t score goals, your defence is always under pressure,” commented Assistant Coach of Chennaiyin FC Noel Wilson before the match. 

ABOUT DURAND CUP

A symbol of India’s football history and culture, the Durand Cup is Asia’s oldest and the world’s third oldest football tournament. Organised by the Indian Army on behalf of the three Services, the Durand Cup has been the breeding ground for India’s best footballing talent, over the years.

The inaugural edition happened in Shimla in 1888 and then the tournament moved to New Delhi in 1940, where it was held till 2016. In 2019, the tournament came under the aegis of the Eastern Command and moved to the eastern part of the country, with Kolkata, the Mecca of Indian football and the Eastern Command Headquarters, being the home base. What makes the Durand Cup even more unique is that the winners get three trophies, two rotating (Durand Cup and Shimla Trophy) and one for permanent keep (President’s Cup).

As we embark on this exciting journey over the coming weeks, let us celebrate the beautiful game of football, honour the traditions of the Durand Cup, and look forward to witnessing moments of brilliance that will be etched in our memories forever.