Punjab FC announce squad for Durand Cup; Luka Majcen & Vinit Rai included

Punjab FC have a strong squad to compete with big teams in Durand Cup 2024.

Punjab FC announced their 30-member squad for the 133rd Durand Cup ahead of their opening Group C fixture against Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) Protectors XI, which will be played tomorrow here at the Kishore Bharathi Krirangan. The match is scheduled to kick off at 7 pm.

The Durand Cup will be Head Coach Panagiotis Dilmperis’s first assignment with the team and he has named a squad that is a mix of youth and experience.

The squad includes new signings Vinit Rai, Muheet Shabir, Princeton Rebello, Nihal Sudeesh, Ninthionganba Meitei and Croatian midfielder Filip Mrzljak who was made ahead of the new season.

The club was able to retain their core members from last season who made their debut in both the ISL and Durand Cup. Usham Thoungamba Singh, Muhammad Suhail F, M Leidong and Singamayum Shami have been promoted to the senior side from the Academy.

Speaking ahead of their first match in the Durand Cup, Head Coach, Panagiotis Dilmperis said, “This will be the first match of the new season and we are eager to get on to the field. We have a balanced unit with experienced and young players and we will look to do our basics right and get all three points. CISF is a relatively unknown team but we will not take them lightly at any cost.”

Ayush Deshwal, Manglenthang Kipgen, Maheson Singh, Ricky Shabong, Muhammed Suhail F, Usham Thoungamba Singh and Pramveer who are currently in England to participate in the NextGen Cup will join the squad after the completion of the tournament.

Punjab FC Squad for Durand Cup

Goalkeepers: Ravi Kumar, Muheet Shabir, Ayush Deshwal

Defenders: Khaiminthang Lhungdim, Tekcham Abhishek Singh, Nikhil Prabhu, Nongmaikapam Suresh Meitei, Tejas Krishna, Melroy Assisi, Nitesh Darjee, Pramveer, Usham Thoungamba Singh, Yendrembam Denechandra Meitei, Makunga Leidong

Midfielders: Vinit Rai, Ricky Shabong, Ashis Pradhan, Manglenthang Kipgen, Tongbram Maheson Singh, Kingslee Fernandes, Leon Augustine, Samuel Lyngdoh Kynshi, Princeton Rebello, Ninthionganba Meitei, Singamayum Shami, Filip Mrzljak (Croatia)

Forwards: Ranjeet Singh Pandre, Nihal Sudheesh, Muhammed Suhail F, Luka Majcen (Slovenia)

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