Durand Cup 2022 Preview: Mohammedan SC, Mumbai City eye grand finale

Both the top-scorers of the tournament belong to the Islanders.

The semi-finals of the 2022 Durand Cup kickstarts on 14 September when I-League giants Mohammedan SC faces Indian Super League (ISL) heavyweights Mumbai City FC. Both sides have dominated their way into the final four. The Black Panthers are yet to lose a game in the Durand Cup 2022 and come off a 3-0 thrashing of Kerala Blasters.

Likewise, Mumbai City defeated Chennaiyin FC by a margin of 5-3 in a thrilling quarter-final clash. Both sides are desperate for the Durand Cup gold. Both teams are also among the highest-scoring sides in the competition.

An end-to-end, dramatic game can be expected to take place at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata, on Wednesday. Only the team which is more clinical can reign supreme and make their way to the Durand Cup final.

The Stakes

Mohammedan SC

The Black Panthers remain as the only I-League side in the Durand Cup 2022. As a result, they carry the expectations of the entire division on their shoulders. Mohammedan have dreams of joining fellow Kolkata sides Emami East Bengal and ATK Mohun Bagan in the ISL soon. So a lot rides on this game if they’re to prove to be up to the mark to excel in the division.

The Kolkata side have also defeated the likes of FC Goa, Jamshedpur FC and Kerala Blasters in the competition. But Mumbai City poses a different threat altogether. The Islanders, for one, have a fully bolstered squad. They’re the former ISL champions and one of the best clubs in India. A lot is riding on this game for Mohammedan, as they know defeating a side of Mumbai City's stature can help establish themselves as a major force in Indian football again.

Mumbai City FC

The reason why Mumbai City brought their first-team squad to the Durand Cup is simple, they want to win the title. The Islanders have already won the ISL shield and playoff trophies and want more gold added to their cabinet. Having scored 18 goals in five games, the Islanders have dominated the competition so far.

They’ll aim to continue their domination against the best the I-League has to offer. A defeat after having come so far in the tournament and that too, after dominating the games can be embarrassing and gutting for the Islanders. They have to maintain utmost concentration and continue their heroics from the last few games to get the job done.

Team News

Both teams have fully fit squads ahead of the crucial fixture.

Head-to-head

Mohammedan SC and Mumbai City will be meeting each other for the first time in history in the upcoming Durand Cup semi-final.

Probable Line-ups

Mohammedan SC: Zothanmawia (GK), Safiul Rahman, Shaher Shaheen, Ousmane N’Diaye, Abhishek Ambekar, Abhash Thapa, Nuriddin Davronov, Yumnam Gopi Singh, Sk Faiaz, Marcus Joseph, Azharuddin Mallick

Mumbai City:  Phurba Lachenpa (GK), Amey Ranawade, Mehtab Singh, Mourtada Fall, Sanjeev Stalin, Vinit Rai, Alberto Noguera, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Bipin Singh, Greg Stewart

Man to watch

Marcus Joseph (Mohammedan SC)

Marcus Joseph loves playing in the Durand Cup. He has been the top-scorer for the last two editions, scoring 11 goals for Gokulam kerala in their title win in 2019. The forward also netted five goals for Mohammedan SC last season, helping them get to the final. While he hasn’t been as prolific in this edition, only scoring one goal, you can’t write him off at all.

Joseph is extremely cunning in the final third, with his movement in between the lines and his physicality helping him thrive. He’s an efficient goal-scorer who doesn’t need too many chances to put things away. The experienced forward will be one of Mohammedan’s key assets in the game and can cause Mumbai City’s backline major problems with his unpredictable style.

Lallianzuala Chhangte (Mumbai City FC)

Lallianzuala Chhangte seems to have found his footing at Mumbai City and is gearing up for possibly what can be his best-ever domestic season. The winger is currently the top-scorer in the tournament, having scored seven goals in five games for the Islanders. He’s thriving in a free attacking role, being able to move in behind the defenders and get into the thick of things in the final third.

Chhangte has grown a ruthlessness about him, finishing chances smartly and also setting them up well for his teammates. The India international needs to be at his sharpest up front to inspire his side to get another big win. Chhangte’s pace, incisiveness and finishing ability can prove to be the deciding factor for the Islanders.

Did you know?

• Greg Stewart is the only player to have scored a hat-trick in the Durand Cup 2022, with it coming in the last game against Chennaiyin FC.
• Mohammedan SC have had 12 players booked in the Durand Cup, more than any other team.
• Both the top-scorers in the Durand Cup so far, Lallianzuala Chhangte (7) and Greg Stewart (6), represent Mumbai City.

Telecast

The game between Mohammedan SC and Mumbai City will take place at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata, on 12 September, 2022. The match starts at 6 pm IST. The Durand Cup 2022 is broadcasted live on the Sports18 network. It is being shown on Sports 18 1 SD & HD as well as Sports 18 Khel (Hindi commentary). The tournament is also being streamed on Voot and Jio TV.