Durand Cup 2022 Preview: ATK Mohun Bagan face Rajasthan United test

Both teams will be facing each other for the first time.

ATK Mohun Bagan will kick off their Durand Cup campaign against Rajasthan United FC at the Salt Lake Stadium on 20th August 2022. The Mariners will play the group stage in front of their home fans in the City of Joy. They will look to set a marker in their first game of the season.

On the other hand, Rajasthan United will look to pull off an unlikely victory against the hosts. Rajasthan finished in a respectable sixth position in their maiden I-League campaign. They will try to emulate their fellow I-League side Gokulam Kerala who defeated Bagan 4-2 in a historic AFC Cup encounter.

The Stakes

ATK Mohun Bagan

With as many as four titles up for grabs for the Mariners ahead of the 2022/23 season, they will look to kick off their Durand Cup campaign with a win. The Green and Maroon Army have a continental challenge in the form of the AFC Cup Inter-Zonal Semi-Final in September, although depends on FIFA timely lifting the ban on AIFF.

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With new foreigners and Indian players in the mix, the Durand Cup gives head coach Juan Ferrando to test all his options and prepare them for the AFC Cup. The likes of Florentin Pogba, Vishal Kaith, Ashique Kuruniyan, and Ashish Rai will look to entertain the fans and solidify their positions in the starting XI.

Rajasthan United FC

For Rajasthan United, the Durand Cup presents itself as a challenge to test their mettle against some of the best teams in the country. Possibly the biggest hurdle comes first for the Pink Army as they take on the hosts ATK Mohun Bagan.

Rajasthan United qualified for the 2021/22 I-League after winning the I-League 2nd Division in 2021. They managed to reach the Championship stage of the I-League, a commendable effort in their very first season. With some new exciting signings like Sergio Barboza and Martin Chaves, they will look to give the home side a run for their money.

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Team News

ATK Mohun Bagan recently played Mohammedan SC in a friendly, defeating them 2-1. Amrinder Singh was not in the squad and neither was new signing Brendan Hamill. They aren't expected to participate in Saturday's proceedings either. Hugo Boumous had picked up a niggle, but is back in training since then. New signing Dimitri Petratos will land in Kolkata in the first week of September and will not feature on the team sheet.

Rajasthan United's new foreign signings Youssed Atriss, Martin Chaves, Sergio Barboza and Bektur Amangeldiev have all been included in their 29-man squad. They should all be available for selection.

Head-to-Head

Rajasthan United and ATK Mohun Bagan have never met each other in their history before. They will be anxious to stamp their authority in the game and register their first win.

Probable Line-ups

ATK Mohun Bagan: Vishal Kaith (GK), Subhasish Bose, Florentin Pogba, Pritam Kotal, Asish Rai, Carl McHugh, Deepak Tangri, Joni Kauko, Liston Colaco, Hugo Boumous, Manvir Singh.

Rajasthan United FC: Niraj Kumar (GK), Hardik Bhatt, Mambetaliev Aidar, Harmanjot Singh, Jagdeep Singh, Aman Thapa, Sergio Barboza, Bektur Amangeldiev, Akash Tripathi, William Lalnunfela, Martin Chaves.

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Players to Watch

Liston Colaco

Liston Colaco was the outright leading Indian goalscorer in the 2021/22 edition of the Indian Super League with eight goals. His rise since then has only been steady as he scored a hat-trick against Bashundhara Kings in the AFC Cup. His pace and agility will be a major problem for the RUFC defenders.

The 23-year-old has stressed that he wishes to be even more clinical in front of goal. With Bagan not signing any genuine number nine this season, a lot of the goalscoring burden will have to be shouldered by Colaco. However, with quality assistance from Joni Kauko and Hugo Boumous, it shouldn't be particularly difficult.

Martin Chaves

24-yea-old Martin Chaves is no stranger to the Indian Footballing circuit despite his age. The Uruguayan forward has previously plied his trade for ISL club NorthEast United FC. He scored three goals in 18 appearances for the Highlanders in the 2019-20 season.

Diminutive in stature, Chaves can be a menacing presence near the box. Initially an attacking midfielder, he is fluid in his positioning and can operate very well as a false nine. The ATKMB defense will be on their toes every time the man from Colonia touches the ball.

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Did You Know?

• Rajasthan United FC are the first club from Rajasthan in 40 years to participate in the Durand Cup.
• Mohun Bagan share the record for the most Durand Cup wins (16) with arch-rivals East Bengal. The two sides also share the most consecutive wins (3).
• William Lalnunfela is the only player in the current squad to have represented both sides.

Telecast

The game between ATK Mohun Bagan and Rajasthan United FC will take place at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata, on 20th August 2022. The time of the match is 6 pm. The Durand Cup 2022 will be broadcasted on the Sports18 network. It will be shown on Sports 18 1 SD & HD as well as Sports 18 Khel (Hindi commentary). It will also be available to stream on Voot and Jio TV.

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