NorthEast United Win Maiden IndianOil Durand Cup Title with a Brilliant Comeback Victory
A Blockbuster Finals on the Cards as Mohun Bagan Super Giant Faces NorthEast United for the IndianOil Durand Cup Title
Durand Cup Organising Committee Announces Ticket Refund for Abandoned Kolkata Derby
The Durand Cup in Shillong and how the Army led the charge in making it happen
*Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri felicitated by Eastern Command*
Mohun Bagan Super Giant make second successive IndianOil Durand Cup final
Mohun Bagan Super Giants to Lock Horns with Bengaluru FC for a Spot in the Finals
NorthEast United make historic first Durand final
Shillong Lajong Welcomes NorthEast United in an Epic IndianOil Durand Cup Semi-final
“I Hope To Have My Best Season in India With Blasters” – Noah Sadaoui
Punjab FC – 3 (Majcen 30’, 58’, Vinit 76’ (p)) CISF Protectors XI –0
Kolkata, July 30th, 2024: A couple of strikes from Indian Super League (ISL) side Punjab FC’s star Slovenian striker Luka Majcen, and a late penalty from Vinit Rai, was enough for the Shers to put it across the CISF Protectors, in Group C’s opening game of the on-going 133rd IndianOil Durand Cup, played here at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan (KBK). Punjab were dominant throughout and never looked like conceding, however they were also wasteful, which their new Greek coach Panagiotis Dilmperis, will look to improve upon as the tournament progresses.
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
CISF coach Ajit Kumar packed his team with midfielders, while Panagiotis left Majcen as the lone striker ahead, supported by a five-man midfield and an organized four-man defence ably led by Melroy Assisi and Suresh Meitei.
The Shers had as many as four good attempts at goal in the first 20-minutes including the first of the game for Majcen as early as in the 7th minute, but his header from close brought about the first of many good saves from CISF keeper Rajkumar Mahato.
Majcen finally broke through in the 30th minute, latching on to a ball from Nikhil Prabhu, who also had a brilliant game, and driving through a wide gap in the centre of the CISF defence to power a left-footer past Mahato into the left-bottom corner. That would remain the only goal of the first-half.
Leon Augustine got the first good chance for Punjab in the second, getting away inside the box just after restart, but a power-packed shot at goal, made Mahato bring about another good save to deny him.
Majcen’s second goal of the game came just ahead of the hour mark and Nikhil Prabhu was involved again as his chip found Filip Mrzljak’s run on the right wing. The Croatian midfielder delivered a low cross and Majcen’s first time strike did make Mahato get a hand on it, but he was unable to keep it out.
Then in the 75th minute, Punjab substitute Ranjeet Pandre was brought down inside the box by Mahato and Vinit Rai wrong-footed the keeper confidently to make it 3-0 and three points safely in the bag for Punjab.
Double Header Tomorrow
Chennaiyin FC will start their 133rd IndianOil Durand Cup campaign against Indian Army Football Team in a Group D encounter tomorrow at the JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur. The match will kick-off at 4 PM. Chennaiyin FC will be fielding a young side while last edition’s quarter-finalists Indian Army will look to emulate their performance and go one better.
In the second match of the day, former champions Bengaluru FC will face Indian Navy Football in a Group B encounter at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata, with the match scheduled to kick-off at 7 PM.
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.