Kolkata: Double header saturday in 131st Durand Cup will witness four teams to play their opener of this season. Indian Super League (ISL) team Chennayin FC will take on the Army Red Football Team in a Group C clash. The next game will be followed by ATK Mohun Bagan, (ATKMB) against Durand Cup debutants Rajasthan United FC (RUFC).
Full strength of Chennayin FC keeps them favourites against the Army Red Football Team (FT). Although the Army Red is a settled team and have players with big match experience.
Bikash Thapa, the Army’s front man, scored the winning goal in a Santosh Trophy final and N. Suresh Meitei has led the Churchill Brothers defence in his past years.
Chennayin, have some of the most talented Indian footballers in their squad. Anirudh Thapa, Rahim Ali and Narayan Das to name a fre from the Indian National team. Debjit Majumder in goal is as good as it gets in India at that position.
Former Bundesliga player and Croatian star Petar Sliskovic and Ghanian Kwame Karikari are the major look out.
In the second match of the day, debutant Rajasthan United will play against star-studded host ATK Mohun Bagan.
ATK Mohun Bagan look much stronger in front of an assembled Rajasthan United. ATK Mohun Bagan have an Indian international side starting with Pritam Kotal, Subhasish Bose, Ashish Rai, Ashique Kuruniyan, Manvir Singh and Liston Colaco. The future of Indian football Kiyan Nasiri and Fardin Ali Mollah are also on the line-up.
While Rajasthan United have Lalremsanga Fanai, the RUFC striker, served Aizawl FC with distinction before making the move to Rajasthan. Fellow striker Shaiborlang Kharpan also began from Shillong Lajong, before having stints with Kerala Blasters and Sudeva. Centre-back Melroy Assisi played for Chennayin FC in the previous season. Winger Surchandra Singh has played with all top clubs of India and moved to RUFC from Real Kashmir FC.
