Kolkata: Kerala Blasters FC, the Indian Super League (ISL) side have announced their squad for the upcoming Durand Cup in Kolkata on Thursday. The Kochi is one of the five ISL sides(Bengaluru FC, Hyderabad FC, FC Goa and Jamshedpur FC being the other four sides) who will take part in the 130th edition of this prestigious tournament which also happens to be Asia’s oldest, will be held between September 5 and October 3. Head Coach Ivan Vukomanovic will take the charge of the side on the field for the first time prior to Indian Super League (ISL) 2021-22.
The 44 year old Vukomanovic opened up about how the this experience could prove vital boosting confidence for his ahead of a big season, ‘‘we are all set to participate in this year’s Durand Cup. We hope Durand Cup will give the team a good experience to perform and also hope to have good games. These games will help our players to boost their confidence and to have an extra motivation because we like to compete”, The Serbian added in his statement.
The team will get their campaign underway in Group C against the Indian Navy on September 11 at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium which followed by a big clash with Bengaluru FC on September 15 at the same venue. They will face Delhi FC in their third game against Delhi FC on September 21 at Mohun Bagan Club Ground.
Hosted by the Durand Football Tournament Society (DFTS), the tournament began way back 1888 being one of the most iconic football tournaments in the country. Another distinctive feature is that the champion of the Durand Cup will receive a trio of unique trophies: The President’s Cup, The Durand Cup, and The Shimla Trophy.
The squad members are as follows:
Goalkeepers: Albino Gomes, Prabhsukhan Singh Gill, and Sachin Suresh.
Defenders: Bijoy V, Enes Sipovic, Jessel Carneiro, Abdul Hakku, Sanjeev Stalin, Hormipam Ruivah, Shahajas Thekkan, Denechandra Meitei, and Sandeep Singh.
Midfielders: Jeakson Singh, Sahal Abdul Samad, Rahul K P, Adrian Luna, Sukham Yoihenba Meitei, Lalthathanga Khawlhring, Gaurav K, Harmanjot Khabra, Givson Singh, Ayush Adhikari, Prasanth K, Seityasen Singh, Vincy Barretto, and Anil Gaonkar.
Forwards: Jorge Pereyra Diaz, V S Sreekuttan, and Chencho Gyeltshen.
