In their first match of the 132nd Durand Cup, a young Jamshedpur FC team is ready to test their mettle against ISL champions Mumbai City FC.
JAMSHEDPUR – Lajong, with their backs against the wall after a game lost to the Highlanders, will be banking on players like Phrangki Buam to maintain the intensity from the get-go and earn some points.
Moreover, the Gaurs, FC Goa, have some promising young Indian talent in their ranks, including Muhammed Nemil and Devendra Murgaokar, along with the Moroccan Noah Sadaoui.
These names not only bring exciting memories of this competition, but also pose a threat to the opposition with their performance.
FC Goa’s head coach Manolo Marquez has declared a clear intent to secure the Durand Cup and have a robust league debut, making their upcoming match against Shillong Lajong at Guwahati’s Indira Gandhi Athletic stadium a must-watch.
Despite Shillong Lajong’s determined attitude evident in their match against NorthEast United FC, they will need to fight hard to avoid an early exit.
Back in Kolkata, the youthful Jamshedpur FC squad, under the guidance of head coach Steven Dias, is raring to take on the might of Mumbai City FC at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK).
The team is built around local talent, including former FIFA U-17 World Cup player for India, Jitendra Singh, and 23-year-old ex-Mohun Bagan midfielder, Sk. Sahil.
Dias sees the Durand Cup as a learning experience for his team, and is focused on their development with each minute they spend on the field.
Lastly, it’s still up in the air as to what lineup Des Buckingham’s Islanders will employ on Tuesday, yet it is clear that Jamshedpur FC’s young Men of Steel will face a tough challenge.
