Durand Cup 2023: Delhi FC lock horns with Tribhuvan Army

Delhi FC drew their first Durand Cup 2023 game against Hyderabad FC.

Three more teams take the field for the first time in this 132nd IndianOil Durand Cup edition on Wednesday August 09, 2023. Whereas Delhi FC play their second Group E game at Kokrajhar’s SAI stadium against Nepal’s Tribhuvan Army FC, Gokulam Kerala FC and the Indian Air Force Football Team (IAFFT) clash in their first Group C game respectively at Kolkata’s Kishore Bharati Krirangan. 

The Kokrajhar match kicks-off at 2.30pm Indian Standard Time (IST) while the following Group C game in Kolkata is scheduled for a 4.45pm IST kick-off.

Delhi will look to go one better against Tribhuvan Army FC

Delhi FC earned a draw against Hyderabad FC in their first game and will look to go one better against Nepal’s Tribhuvan Army FC, if they have to harbor hopes of progressing into the knockout stages of the tournament. Himanshu Jangra scored for them upfront and it is always good to have your forwards in scoring form early in the tournament.

Coach Surinder Singh reflected the same sentiment in a pre-match chat saying, “We have eye on securing three points from tomorrow’s game. Last match our team really played well but the result was not in our favour. We have worked on the areas we are lacking in. We will get good result in tomorrow’s game.”

Also chipping in was their owner Ranjit Bajaj saying, “We play for our country. Our shirt in the front says “Saluting the Indian armed forces”. Especially when playing the Nepal Army Team it’s going to be like representing your country. We take it very seriously.”

Tribhuvan Army FC, led by their mercurial striker Nawayug Shrestha, who has 36 goals for his club and country over the years and given they are a settled top professional side, Delhi will not find it easy to pull off a win.

Nawayug also shared his feelings before the crucial first game saying, “It’s our honour to participate in Durand Cup. One of the most prestigious tournaments in Asia. I would like to thank the Indian Army for giving us this opportunity to play in this tournament. We want to give our best against Delhi FC in tomorrow’s match.”

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