2 weeks ago
NorthEast United, Mohun Bagan Battle for Durand Cup Final
NorthEast United and Mohun Bagan will play each other for a place in the Durand Cup final.
NorthEast United are the defending champions and want to win the tournament for a third straight time.
They reached the semifinal by beating Shillong Lajong 5-2 after being behind at halftime.
Alaaeddine Ajaraie scored three goals in the second half of that match.
Mohun Bagan have won the Durand Cup 17 times, more than any other team.
They reached the semifinal by beating Jamshedpur on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
Both teams have strong players and fully fit squads.
The match is expected to be difficult because Mohun Bagan have usually had the better record in their past meetings.
Defending champions NorthEast United FC will face 17-time winners Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the Durand Cup’s second semifinal.
NorthEast United reached the last four after recovering from a 2-1 halftime deficit to defeat Shillong Lajong FC 5-2.
Alaaeddine Ajaraie scored three second-half goals as NorthEast United secured a fourth consecutive semifinal appearance.
Mohun Bagan advanced after a 1-1 quarterfinal draw against Jamshedpur FC and a 9-8 sudden-death penalty-shootout victory.
Mohun Bagan have won 10 of 13 previous meetings with NorthEast United, while both teams enter the semifinal with fully fit squads.
- Who
- Defending champions NorthEast United FC and 17-time winners Mohun Bagan Super Giant.
- What
- The teams will contest the second semifinal of the Durand Cup for a place in the final.
- Where
- Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong.
- When
- Thursday, with the reports giving conflicting dates of August 19 and August 20; kickoff is listed as 7 p.m.
- Why
- Both teams are seeking a place in the Durand Cup final; NorthEast United are also pursuing a third consecutive title.
NorthEast United’s Case
Mohun Bagan’s Case
Route to the semifinal
NorthEast United’s Case
NorthEast United overturned a 2-1 halftime deficit to beat Shillong Lajong 5-2, with Alaaeddine Ajaraie scoring a second-half hat-trick.
Mohun Bagan’s Case
Mohun Bagan went through the group stage without conceding, then defeated Jamshedpur FC 9-8 on penalties after a 1-1 quarterfinal draw.
Key strengths
NorthEast United’s Case
NorthEast United will rely on Ajaraie’s scoring form, goalkeeper Gurmeet Singh and a disciplined defensive approach against Mohun Bagan’s attack.
Mohun Bagan’s Case
Mohun Bagan will rely on five-goal scorer Sahal Abdul Samad, defender Subhasish Bose and goalkeeper Vishal Kaith, who helped decide the quarterfinal shootout.
Historical advantage
NorthEast United’s Case
NorthEast United have won two of their 13 previous meetings with Mohun Bagan and are seeking a third consecutive Durand Cup title.
Mohun Bagan’s Case
Mohun Bagan have won 10 of the 13 previous meetings and are the tournament’s most successful club with 17 titles.
Key facts
- Competition
- Durand Cup
- Stage
- Second semifinal
- NorthEast United quarterfinal
- Defeated Shillong Lajong FC 5-2 after trailing 2-1 at halftime
- Mohun Bagan quarterfinal
- Drew 1-1 with Jamshedpur FC and won the penalty shootout 9-8
- Titles
- Mohun Bagan have won 17 Durand Cup titles; NorthEast United are the defending champions
- Previous meetings
- Mohun Bagan lead NorthEast United 10-2, with one draw, across 13 meetings
- Squad status
- Both teams reportedly have fully fit squads
Quotes
Panagiotis Dilmperis
Mohun Bagan head coach
“We’ve worked hard in training, and now it’s about executing our plan on the pitch. Hopefully, we can put in a strong performance and get the result we want.”
theprint.in
“My expectation is to start the game with the right mentality, stay focused from the first minute, and give everything for the team.”
theprint.in
Sources
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