Guwahati: In-form NorthEast United Football Club (NEUFC) will clash with defending champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the finals of the 133rd edition of Durand Cup to be played at Kolkata’s Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Saturday (August 31, 2024).
The defending champions were stretched in both their knockout matches by Punjab FC and Bengaluru FC, winning on penalties, and will have their task cut out against the NEUFC, who has been clinical throughout the tournament, getting the better of Indian Army 2-0 and Shillong Lajong 3-0 in the quarterfinals and semi-finals, respectively.
Mohun Bagan Super Giant will, however, have the backing of the loyal supporters, with its head coach, Jose Molina, telling about the home advantage for his team in Saturday’s match.
“I think it’s really good to have home support but on the pitch it will be eleven players taking on eleven players. So it’s never an advantage to play in front of the home crowd. There will be pressure on the home side but the players are experienced enough to handle that.” Molina said.
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Mohun Bagan star forward Greg Stewart said he is feeling a bit pressured to play in front of the home crowd as it is a do or die match and it will be a tough match against a very good NEUFC side.
On the other hand, NEUFC head coach Juan Pedro Benali sounded excited to play in front of the Kolkata crowd.
“It’s fantastic to play in front of such an amazing crowd in Kolkata. There is nothing to lose for us. We have played good football and have come here to give our best in front of such an amazing crowd, fantastic city and amazing people,” Benali said.
Vishal Kaith has been in terrific form between the posts for the Mariners and will be once again a key for his team along with the star studded attack line of Dimitri Petratos, Greg Stewart, Jason Cummings, Liston Colaco, Sahal Abdul Samad and Manvir Singh.
NEUFC defence, led by its captain Michel Zabaco, and Moroccan Hamza Regragui, has let in just a solitary goal in the whole tournament.
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Mohun Bagan have let in five goals in the two knockout matches and will look to rectify their mistakes against the solid attack line that consists of Jithin M.S, Nestor Albiach and Guillermo Fernandez, who are constantly supplied balls from the midfield by the mercurial Moroccan Mohammed Ali Bemammer.
“NEUFC is a very good team. We have seen that throughout the tournament. They have good wingers. But we have full confidence in our boys and we will give our best in the pitch on Saturday,” Molina added.
“We are here to give our one hundred percent and win the trophy. Mohun Bagan is a very good side and has solid players but we will be playing to our game plan and come away with a win,” NEUFC captain, Michel Zabaco, said.
“We have our weapons and they have theirs and it is going to be a terrific game and at the end of the match we will be congratulating the best team,” Benali added.
The grand finale on Saturday promises to be an enthralling contest, and at the end of the 90 minutes or even penalties, one team will either be winning a record-breaking 18th Durand Cup title, or the opposition their first-ever Durand Cup victory.