Durand Cup 2025 Preview: Mohun Bagan look to keep up winning momentum against BSF FT

Mohun Bagan opened their Durand Cup 2025 campaign with a win over Mohammedan Sporting.

Mohun Bagan will aim to maintain their impressive form at the Durand Cup 2025 when they face the Border Security Force Football Team at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata, on Monday (4 August 2025).

The Mariners need to win the match to keep their knockout hopes alive and face a shaken BSF side that will put in everything to get something from this big game.

Also Read: Where & how to watch the Durand Cup 2025 live streaming?

The Stakes

Mohun Bagan

Mohun Bagan didn’t have the easiest of opening games to the 2025 Durand Cup but managed to grind their way to a 3-1 win over Mohammedan Sporting. They didn’t exactly play to their best ability but still rode on the brilliance of some players to get a big win.

Consistency is now key for the Mariners to go all the way and win the Durand Cup title, but they have to get out of their group stage.

That is why winning this upcoming match is so important for them, as dropping points could lead to a possible disaster. Bastob Roy will be motivating his players to produce a thrilling attacking display to get a big win, which can further increase their self-belief to win the tournament. A shock draw or loss, however, would be a major disappointment for the fans.

Border Security Force

The Border Security Force FT had a horrible start to the Durand Cup 2025 campaign, suffering an 8-1 loss to Diamond Harbour FC. That is actually the worst loss any team has sustained in the ongoing Durand Cup tournament, which is why they’ll be fighting to at least salvage themselves against Mohun Bagan.

BSF need to maintain a much stronger defensive shape and be extremely stubborn to have a chance of ousting this Mohun Bagan side.

Even if not a win, even a draw can be a huge momentum booster for the BSF players and a major surprise. However, another crushing loss will mark a forgettable end to their Durand Cup campaign.

Team News

Suhail Bhat limped out of Mohun Bagan’s previous game against Mohammedan SC, but he should be fine for this. Apuia is suspended after getting sent off in the last game.

BSF FT should have the same squad that suffered the loss to Diamond Harbour.

Head-to-Head Record

This will be the first-ever meeting between these two teams.

Predicted Lineups

Mohun Bagan

Vishal Kaith (GK), Asish Rai, Dippendu Biswas, Leewan Castanha, Abhishek Singh, Deepak Tangri, Abhishek Suryavanshi, Karan Rai, Kiyan Nassiri, Liston Colaco, Suhail Bhat

Border Security Force

Harpreet Singh (GK), Lakhwinder Singh, Harpreet, Agou Lenthang, Mohammed Aasif, Harmandeep Singh, Sanjog Gha, Mohammed Asif Khan, Piyush Bhandari, Bipul Khan, Kishori

Players to Watch

Kiyan Nassiri (Mohun Bagan)

Kiyan Nassiri has a lot to prove about himself at the ongoing Durand Cup tournament, especially in terms of how he can be a clinical asset on the front line.

He had a bit of a frustrating outing against Mohammedan SC, not really being able to create anything big or score any goals. However, Nassiri now has the perfect opportunity to score goals or prove some beautiful assists against this struggling BSF FT.

Nassiri will need to be smarter with his off-the-ball movement and be calmer in the danger areas. He will have to be clinical with his finishing ability and make better decisions with his creative final passes to trouble the defenders and provide that edge to his side.

Kishori (Border Security Force FT)

Kishori was arguably the brightest performer for the BSF FT in their recent loss to Diamond Harbour. He will look to further improve his reputation in the Indian football scene by producing a clinical performance against Mohun Bagan.

Kishori will have to work really hard in terms of how much running he puts in with his pressing and helping his side defend strongly.

He will, of course, focus on driving his side forward on the counterattacks and trouble the defenders with his movement. He needs to take any chances he gets and convert them ruthlessly to have a chance of helping BSF get a respectable result.

Did you know?

• Mohun Bagan last won the Durand Cup title in the 2023 edition.
• Border Security Force have conceded the second-highest goals in the Durand Cup 2025.
• Liston Colaco is the joint-second-highest Indian scorer in the Durand Cup 2025.

Telecast Details

The Durand Cup 2025 group game between Mohun Bagan and Border Security Force will be played on Monday, 4 August 2025, at the Kishore Bharati Krinangan. It will kick off at 7 PM IST. The match will be shown live on the Sony Ten Sports network and SonyLIV.

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