Durand Cup 2022 Preview: Star-studded Bengaluru FC face Jamshedpur test

The Men of Steel have come to the tournament with their reserve side.

Jamshedpur FC are all set to begin their second Durand Cup 2022 campaign against last year’s semi-finalists Bengaluru FC. The 131st edition of Durand Cup will mark the beginning of a new football season in India. Both ISL rivals are in group A along with FC Goa, Indian Air Force and Mohammedan Sporting. 

Bengaluru FC’s academy boys performed miraculously last term to reach the semi-finals and only lost on penalties in sudden death against FC Goa. To amend the mistakes and complete the trophy heist, Bengaluru FC have trusted the first team players this time.

Meanwhile, Jamshedpur FC have rewarded some of the players with a Durand Cup call-up who performed well in the Reliance Football Development League (RFDL). It will be a battle to watch between the youthful Miners and the resurgent Blues.

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The Stakes

Jamshedpur FC

The Jamshedpur-based club won its maiden silverware in the club's history with the ISL Winners' Shield last season. The club’s very own Tata Football Academy was known for producing talents like Subrata Pal, Gouramangi Singh, Robin Singh and others. Over the last few years, the academy has been losing its charm. There was not a single TFA player in India’s U20 squad for SAFF Championship.

Despite this, the club has trusted the young guns from their set-up to rectify last season’s mistakes and achieve something tangible in the tournament. 

Bengaluru FC

After the heartbreaking 7-6 loss on penalties last season in Durand Cup, Bengaluru FC failed to do something tangible in ISL as well. Hence, the season was the one to forget for the Blues. This time, the club wants to correct those errors and fill its trophy cabinet with Asia’s oldest football tournament. The team has called eight new signings for the campaign so it would be an opportunity for them to bring in cohesion with the new teammates.

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Although the big names such as Sunil Chhetri, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and Sandesh Jhingan are there in the squad, we will see the youngsters getting more chances. And these players would be used to tackle clutch situations. In every way, Bengaluru FC have come prepared to challenge for the title.

Team News

Bengaluru FC is sending their first team for the Cup competition. All the players are likely to be available for selection apart from the new signing Sandesh Jhingan. The centre-back joined the group in pre-season a few days back and might not feature against Jamshedpur FC.

For the Men of Steel, all players are available to play as they have sent the academy team to participate.

Head-to-Head

Both the teams are playing against each other in the Durand Cup for the first time. In the Indian Super League, Jamshedpur FC have an edge over the Blues. The club from Jharkhand have won four games compared to Bengaluru’s three in ten games.

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Probable Lineups

Jamshedpur FC: Mohit Dhami (GK), Piyush Thakuri, Kojam Beyong, Sandip Mandi, Rishi, Vikash Singh, Kamlesh Singh, Lenin Singh, Arman Tamang, Lalruatmawia, Nayan Tamang

Bengaluru FC: Lara Sharma (GK), Prabir Das, Alan Costa, Namgyal Bhutia, Hira Mondal, Suresh Wangjam, Danish Farooq, Javi Hernandez, Udanta singh, Roy Krishna, Shivashakti Narayanan

Man to watch

Lalruatmawia (Jamshedpur FC)

The firing forward from Tata Football Academy (TFA) caught the eyes of pundits in the RF Development League. The young prodigy has got all the attributes to be a dynamic forward that is needed in modern-day football. Mawia has blistering pace and exquisite control that makes him lethal against any team despite his short physique. 

It will be too early to rate the youngster as the upcoming star for Jamshedpur FC, but seeing his performances, one can say he is on the right track and Durand Cup is the best opportunity for him to take a step further. 

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Roy Krishna (Bengaluru FC)

Roy Krishna needs no introduction in the Indian Football fraternity. The Fijian striker has wreaked havoc against the Indian Super League sides during his tenure at ATK Mohun Bagan. Krishna will begin his second spell in India with Bengaluru FC in the Durand Cup. 

Roy is most likely to play alongside the youngsters to get going before ISL starts and undoubtedly, is the man to watch out for against Jamshedpur FC and throughout the tournament for the Blues.

Did You Know?

• Bengaluru FC have won both the ISL and the Super Cup. Durand Cup is the only domestic trophy missing from their cabinet. 
• Udanta Singh is a Tata Football Academy graduate.

Telecast

The match between Jamshedpur FC and Bengaluru FC will kick off at 14:30 hours on August 17 (Wednesday) at Kishore Bharati Krirangan. The match will be telecast live on the Sports18 1, Sports 18 1HD and Sports18 Khel TV channels in India. Live streaming of the Durand Cup 2022 will also be available on VOOT.

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