Durand Cup 2022 Preview: Sudeva Delhi lock horns with Kerala Blasters

The two teams will face each other for the first time on Friday.

The 131st Indian Oil Durand Cup gallops along and in a third straight day of double headers, champions FC Goa take on the Indian Air Force at Kolkata’s Kishore Bharati Krirangan (KBK) and two teams make their first appearance in the tournament, as the Kerala Blasters take on Sudeva Delhi FC of Delhi at the Indira Gandhi Atheltic stadium in Guwahati.

The Kerala Blasters and Sudeva Delhi FC game at the Indira Gandhi Athletic stadium which follows the FC Goa-Indian Air Force game on Matchday 4, will see both teams making a first appearance in this year’s tournament while it will be their second overall appearance at the IndianOil Durand Cup.

The Stakes

With Kerala bringing a young side and Sudeva having an active transfer season it will be interesting to note how things pan out on the ground but both have players in their squad who the opponents will be wary of.

Team News

The Blasters might unleash Sudeva’s own Shubho Paul on them in attack and with players like India U-20 SAFF championship winner Vibin Mohanan and talented midfielders like Ebindas Yesudasan in their ranks, Sudeva will have their hands full.

The Delhi side on the other hand does not lack talent as well with the likes of Abhijit Sarkar, who impressed one and all in the FIFA U-17 world cup held in India and later, in their squad. They also bring in experience in midfield with the likes of Souvik Das who has played in the highest echelons of Indian football and with the top clubs as well, as they do in wing play with the likes of journey man Chesterpaul Lyngdoh.

Head-to-head

Sudeva Delhi and Kerala Blasters will be meeting each other for the first time in the Durand Cup. The two clubs haven't locked horns prior to this encounter!

Man to watch

Shubho Paul (Sudeva Delhi)

Shubho Paul is a star in the making. In 2021, he got the opportunity to be a part of the Bayern Munich's World Squad (U-19). He was scouted by German World Cup winner Klaus Augenthaler. The forward recently plied his trade in the SAFF U-20 Championship, where he scored a goal against Nepal. Surely, along with Abhijit Sarkar, Shubho Paul will be a threat for the Kerala Blasters side.

Vibin Mohanan (Kerala Blasters)

The 19-year-old midfielder, recently featured in the SAFF U-20 Championship. He along with aforementioned Shubho Paul lifted the trophy for the nation. Although he didn't score, Mohanan remained an integral figure in the centre of the park. His creativity will be something to watch out for.

Did you know?

• Abhijit Sarkar was part of India's FIFA U-17 World Cup squad in 2017.
• Shubho Paul is a part of Bayern Munich's World Squad (U-19). 1990 World Cup winner Klaus Augenthaler (Germany) scouted him.
• Both teams have players who won the recently concluded SAFF U-20 Championship.

Telecast

The match between Sudeva Delhi and Kerala Blasters will be played at 6 pm IST at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium. The game will be telecasted live on Sports18, Sports18 1, Sports18 1 HD and Sports18 Khel (Hindi Commentary). It will also be streamed on Voot and JioTV.

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