Durand Cup 2025 Preview: Mohun Bagan and Diamond Harbour FC set to fight for the top spot

Both clubs will be playing the last match of their Durand Cup group stage.

As the Durand Cup transitions to the knockout round, Group B is set to witness the summit clash as Mohun Bagan Super Giant and Diamond Harbour FC face off to claim the top spot. Both clubs are unbeaten so far, with both registering back-to-back wins to position them firmly in the knockout race.

This Group B clash will be played on Saturday, August 9, at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata. This will be a massive opportunity for Diamond Harbor to give their introduction to the football hegemon of Kolkata, Mohun Bagan.

Stakes:

Mohun Bagan Super Giant

After leaving BSF FT and Mohammedan SC scarred in the first two group stage games, Mohun Bagan are prepared to take Diamond Harbour FC to the cleaners. Scoring 7 goals and conceding just 1 in the first two games, the Mariners look set for another impressive outing in their last group stage fixture.

With only one certain spot for the knockout round, it is important for Mohun Bagan to not leave anything to chance when they finish the group stage.

They look comfortable with 6 points, but if they fail to register another three against Diamond Harbour, things might take an interesting turn. The goalscoring form is a huge positive for the Kolkata club, and the forwards would be expecting to add to the numbers to dominate the goalscoring charts.

Diamond Harbour FC

This is arguably the biggest match of the season already for Diamond Harbour FC. The meeting against Mohun Bagan would test their resolve and their preparations moving ahead in the next season.

After trouncing another massive club from Kolkata, Mohammedan SC, Diamond Harbour shocked many to start their Durand Cup 2025 campaign on a victorious note. They continued their heroics in their second match against BSF FT, handing them a whopping 8-1 defeat.

However, against Mohun Bagan, their defense would have to go an extra mile to keep the in-form Mohun Bagan forwards away from the goalpost, which would be a gargantuan task. The focus should be on not conceding early goals, as it would give momentum to the Mariners putting the match to rest.

Team News

There are no likely changes to the squad going into this tie. The nature of this contest warrants that clubs avoid rejigging their combination and keep the ship steady, trusting their players to replicate what they have done so far in the group stage.

Head-to-Head Record

The Bengal counterparts have never met before, making this their first-ever clash. Diamond Harbour would be desperate to show the fans at VYBK that they are here not just to compete but to win.

Predicted Lineups

Mohun Bagan Super Giant

Vishal Kaith (GK), Roshan Singh, Dippendu Biswas, Thomas Aldred, Leewan Castanha, Manvir Singh, Deepak Tangri, Abhishek Suryavanshi, Liston Colaco, Suhail Bhat, Anirudh Thapa.

Diamond Harbour FC

Susnata Malik (GK), Ajith Kumar, Mikel Kortazar, Naresh Singh, Melroy Assisi, Clayton, Lalliansanga, Paul Ramfangzauva, Girik Khosla, Luka Majcen, Joby Justin

Players to watch

Liston Colaco (Mohun Bagan Super Giant)

How can the top scorer of the tournament not be the player to watch out for? Liston Colaco has taken the tournament by storm with his goal-scoring prowess in the first two group stage games.

Scoring a brace on both occasions, the Goan forward has shown that this season his focus will not be on just creating chances down the wings but also occupying the space in the box and burying those chances with venom. Against Diamond Harbour, Liston would be itching to add more goals to his tally as he looks to make this year’s Golden Boot this own.

Luka Majcen (Diamond Harbour FC)

For this man, there are no signs of stopping. After switching his allegiance to Diamond Harbour for this season, Luka Majcen has continued to do what he does best. It was clear from his last-minute winner against Mohammedan SC in the group stage opener that he will be the main man for the club moving ahead in the season.

Diamond Harbour signed Majcen with the hopes that he would churn out goals, and he has lived up to the expectations so far. However, a big challenge awaits him as Mohun Bagan’s defense would not surrender without a fight.

Telecast Details

The Durand Cup 2025 group B game between Mohun Bagan Super Giant and Diamond Harbour FC will be played on Saturday, 9 August 2025, at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata. The match will kick off at 7 PM IST and will be shown live on the Sony Ten Sports network and SonyLIV.

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