Durand Cup 2023: Former ISL champs Mumbai City, Jamshedpur FC meet in Kolkata

Mumbai City defeated Mohammedan SC in their Durand Cup 2023 opener.

Indian Super League (ISL) side and former Champions FC Goa kick-off their 132nd IndianOil Durand Cup campaign against once-defeated Shillong Lajong in Guwahati’s Indira Gandhi Athletic stadium on Tuesday afternoon. So do the Red Miners of Jamshedpur FC on the same evening in Kolkata’s Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) against Mumbai City FC, fresh after a 3-1 win over Mohammedan Sporting in their opening game on Saturday.

The Group D game in Guwahati begins 3.00pm Indian Standard Time (IST) while the second Group B game in Kolkata kicks-off at 6.00pm IST.

Jamshedpur face Mumbai City challenge first-up

Following the game between FC Goa and Shillong Lajong in Guwahati, a young Jamshedpur FC squad will take on the might of Mumbai City FC in their first game of the tournament. The 27-member squad is here under Head Coach Steven Dias and with a plethora of local talent. Some of those talents answer to the names of 22-year-old captain Jitendra Singh, former India U-17 FIFA World Cup player and 23-year-old Sk. Sahil, former Mohun Bagan midfielder.

The mentor, though, was very clear around his expectations from the tournament when he said after a training session, “We are looking forward to the Durand Cup. It’s going to be a good experience for the young lads. The whole squad is excited to play with the best teams in the country and with every competitive minute they gain, it provides a great opportunity for them to learn and grow. We will give our best to win against all the teams in our group.”

The Islanders under Des Buckingham have an embarrassment of riches and it remains to be seen which players and combination they go with on Tuesday. Whichever that maybe, it will be a baptism by fire for the young Men of Steel.

All 43 games of the 132nd IndianOil Durand Cup are being telecast LIVE on Sony Sports Ten 2 channels as well as livestreamed on SonyLIV.

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