Durand Cup 2023: Odisha FC eye campaign's second win against Bodoland FC

The final Saturday of the 132nd IndianOil Durand Cup group stages will see Mumbai City FC (MCFC) take on the Indian Navy Football Team (INFT)   in their final Group B fixtures at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) in Kolkata. That game will be followed by a Group F game in Kokrajhar’s SAI stadium where Odisha FC clash with local side Bodoland FC in what will also be their respective final group games.

The Kolkata game has an afternoon 3.00pm Indian Standard Time (IST) start while the Kokrajhar game has an evening 6.00pm IST kick-off scheduled.

Both Bodoland and Odisha will be desperate for a win

The evening game in Kokrajhar promises to be more competitive and exciting given both sides are sure to go all out for a win and are a little more evenly matched than the Mumbai-Navy game.

Odisha coach Amit Rana seemed to be sounding the war-bugle when he said a day before the game, “We’re prepared for tomorrow and our goal is clear. Our journey continues, and we’re ready to make every moment count.”

Every moment count is what the players of Bodoland FC will also be looking to do in what has been a historic first ever holding of such a prestigious national tournament in their home. They have looked sharp in both their games and have played direct and one touch football.

They will definitely want to sign-off with a win for their fans, who have been braving inclement weather at times to pack the stands in every game. It is sure to be a treat for the neutrals.

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. Organized by the Indian Armed Forces, 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, when it started off as an Army Cup, open only to the British Indian Army troops in India, but soon opened up to civilian teams. Named after its founder, Sir Mortimer Durand, Foreign Secretary of British India from 1884 to 1889, the iconic tournament reached its 132nd edition in 2023. Mohun Bagan and East Bengal have been the most successful teams, winning the tournament 16 times each.

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