Kolkata: The match day 9 of 131st Durand Cup will encounter Army Red (ARFT) team go up against Neroca FC (NFC) in a Group C game. While in the second, ATK Mohun Bagan (ATKMB) encounter Mumbai City FC (MCFC) at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) at the Mecca of Indian Football, Kolkata.
The match between Neroca and Army Red is important for both of them to qualify in the knockout. Army Reds drew their first game against a good Chennayin side on equal footing and Neroca seems to be charged up after their derby victory.
Army Reds displayed immense capability, fight, fitness and skill in their last game. They also showed great presence of mind in set-pieces that Neroca need to be worry of.
We are up & ready to take the field against Army Red 🟠👊🏻
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Durand Cup #IndianOilDurandCup #IndianFootball #Neroca #OrangeBrigade🍊 pic.twitter.com/iHgcQSCbm5— Neroca FC (@NerocaFC) August 24, 2022
Neroca with their Croatian Petar Sliskovic and Anirudh Thapa, looked a bit undercooked and will have to be at their best against the Army Reds.
In the other game, ATK Mohun Bagan and Mumbai City FC, come face to face at a hallowed turf.
In ATK Mohun Bagan, there will be names like Liston Colaco, Vikram Pratap Singh, Ashique Kuruniyan, Bipin Singh, Manvir Singh, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Kiyan Nassiri, Rahul Bheke who represents the Indian football. There will be a showdown of foreign footballers plying their trade in India like Ahmed Jahouh and Hugo Boumous. But the best part, there is the prospect of a boisterous home crowd already smarting from a first game defeat in the tournament.
If ATKMB lose today, even a win over their arch rivals Emami East Bengal (EEB) in their next outing, might not help them cross the line.
Familiar foes, fresh frontlines ⚔️
मंडळी.. it’s showtime! 💥#ATKMBMCFC #DurandCup2022 #MumbaiCity #AamchiCity 🔵 pic.twitter.com/ZKXAyRyCc3
— Mumbai City FC (@MumbaiCityFC) August 24, 2022
However, Mumbai City FC picked up a comfortable 4-1 win in their first game against the Indian Navy. They looked to have settled down with young striker Vikram Pratapand Chhangte. Spaniard Rippol and Moroccan Jahou had decent display in midfield while Scotsman Gary Stewart was also linking up well up front.
All in all, a great contest in the offing for the football fans of the country.
