131st IndianOil Durand Cup First Semi-Final Preview

Kolkata, Tuesday, September 13, 2022: The Des Buckingham coached Indian Super League (ISL) side Mumbai City FC (MCFC) face up to the challenge of local favourites Mohammedan Sporting (MDSP) in the first semi-final of the 131st IndianOil Durand Cup at Kolkata’s Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) on Wednesday, September 14, 2022. The match is scheduled for a 6.00 pm IST kick-off.

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Catch the semif-finals and final of the 131st IndianOil Durand Cup LIVE on:

- Live Telecast: Sports18 1 SD & HD, and Sports18 Khel

- Live Stream: VOOT

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- Kick-off: Mumbai City FC v Mohammedan Sporting @ 6.00 pm (Sep 14, 2022)

On paper, the Islanders might be having the slight edge going into the big game on Wednesday, given the sheer menacing nature of their attacking game and the quality and experience of the overall squad.

But if the Islanders have scored 18 times in the tournament so far, the highest among all 20 teams, the Black & White brigade have been no slouch having scored a dozen times themselves. They have looked very well organized and settled under Russian coach Andrey Chernyshov, letting in just two in their campaign to the Islanders 10.

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MDSP also gave fellow semi-finalists Bengaluru FC a run for their money in a 1-1 draw and have played a pleasing brand of football. Greg Stewart and Lallianzuala Chhangte have been the leading lights of the MCFC campaign scoring 13-times between them- the latter currently the tournament highest scorer with seven goals to his name.

With the addition of experienced Senegalese defender Mourtada Fall and ace distributor Rowlin Borges, the Islanders now also look even more balanced and potent. Little wonder then that Des Buckingham was a picture of calm and confidence in the pre-match presser when he said, “We will try to win within 90 minutes.”

He was however respectful of his opponents adding, “Mohammedan are a good side. Look at the way they are playing. They will be playing on their home ground. I respect all the players of Mohammedan. Joseph is a good player, even Dauda. The way both the teams play I hope it's going be an interesting game tomorrow. Looking forward to tomorrow's game.”

Buckingham was referring to MDSP’s own recent lethal addition to the side, Nigerian striker Abiola Dauda, who struck twice in his debut for the Black & Whites, in the quarter-finals against the Kerala Blasters. With the new found assist powers of Trinidadian Marcus Joseph, the Mumbai defence will have a task on its hand and that is where Buckingham will believe that Fall can play a big role. Coach Chernyshov was also aware of the enormity of the task at hand. He said at the pre-match presser,

“Mumbai is a strong team. But we have prepared ourselves. If we can play in our own style and play good football then we can get good results. Tomorrow we are expecting really difficult game. This is one step from the final so an important game. Both teams have played nicely so they will want to win. Tomorrow's match will be good for the supporters because they are going to witness a very good match.”

In football there are quality players, good coaches, favourite teams and underdogs. There are pitch conditions and there is the home crowd and there are stakes. And all those factors converge on Wednesday at the VYBK. Expect a tight but mouthwatering game of football.

Ticket Information in detail

India’s leading entertainment destination BookMyShow has been roped in as exclusive ticketing partners for the 131st Indian Oil Durand Cup.

Fans can book their tickets for all knockout matches of the tournament exclusively on www.bookmyshow.com. Bookings start from evening of September 07, 2022.

In addition, Box Office services will be made operational for fans in Kolkata from September 08, 2022, at the following locations

The details are as follows:

From September 08, 2022, 10am-5pm

- Mohammedan Sporting Club Tent

- VYBK GATE-4A BOX OFFICE (on Matchdays at VYBK from 10am-1pm only)

- KBK BOX OFFICE (on Matchdays at VYBK from 10am-1pm only)

Broadcast & Live-stream details

Sports18 is available on the following service providers:

DTH Service SD Channel # HD Channel #

Tata Play 488

Airtel Digital 293

JioTV+ 262 261

Sun Direct 505 983

Voot is available to download for free on all mobile app stores and on Connected TVs.

About Durand Cup

A symbol of India’s football history and culture, the Durand Cup is Asia’s oldest and the world’s third oldest football tournament. Organized by the Indian Armed Forces, the Durand Cup has been the breeding ground for India’s best footballing talent, over the years.

The inaugural edition happened in Shimla in 1888, when it started off as an Army Cup, open only to the British Indian Army troops in India, but soon opened up to civilian teams. Named after its founder, Sir Mortimer Durand, Foreign Secretary of British India from 1884 to 1889 the iconic tournament reached its 130th edition in 2021. Mohun Bagan and East Bengal have been the most successful teams, winning the tournament 16 times each.

Contact:

Somit Biswas- 9873723210

Sandipa Ghosh- 9883016244

Hritam Bose- 9903206978

Avishek Banerjee- 96743 90713

Nirmalya Chatterjee- 9836206682