IFA Shied runners Mohun Bagan will face the Mahindra United at Ambedkar Stadium on Sunday evening in the 114th Durand Cup Semifinal. Mohun Bagan will be looking to build on their unconvincing victory against ONGC and JCT successively in group matches at Ambedkar Stadium on Sunday, and will be hoping that the side begins to click in the traditional Mohun Bagan fashion to chalk up their name in the Final to play against Churchill Brothers. Churchill defeated Dempo by 2-1 in the first semi final on Saturday evening.
Mahindra United on the other hand will be looking to take revenge of the IFA Shield where they drew with the mariners and get out of IFA Shield after displayed some good football in second half. Here in Durand Cup they have beaten another Kolkata outfit Kingfisher East Bengal and earlier drawn with new club in Indian Football Lyajon FC, Shillong in the group matches.
The talismanic striker of Bagan Jose Ramirez Barreto was injured during the last group match against JCT and replced by Branco after his double strike on the early minutes of the match. It is the main concern for the Coach Kareem Bencherifa to make the Brazilian 100 % fit as early as possible. Another foreigner Chiddi has also shown his form by scoring goals in important moment. Mohun Bagan defence has shown great solidarity under veteran Dipak Mondal, who himself declared that he is in the form of his life. Late recruit right back Surkumar Singh has shown some goal scoring ability as well. However, it has been seen absence of Marcos make the mariners’ mid-field little weaker, whereas the others are not in their best of form. But against the team like Mahindra they have to perform at their best to help their team to reach to the final. Goalkeeper Sangram Mukherjee also is in the good form and as the captain of the team, he is leading from the front.
So there will be a interesting game of football between the two giants of Kolkata and Mumbai on 20th September, Sunday evening at Ambedkar Stadium, New Delhi. Match will be on and from 5.30pm (IST). The live update will be available on mohunbaganclub.com
Probable Line-Up for Mohun Bagan AC:
Sangram, Mohanraj, Masih, Deepak, Surkumar, Snehasish, Kulothungan, Mickey, James, Chiddi, Barreto