Kokrajhar is all set to host the 133rd IndianOil Durand Cup as local side Bodoland FC will take on Indian Super League (ISL) side NorthEast United FC, an all Assam derby in the opening game of Group E at the SAI Stadium. The city will be hosting the tournament for the second year in a row. The first game of the double header day will kick-off at 4 PM IST. In the second match of the day at 7 PM, ISL side Punjab FC will face Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) Protectors XI in Group C at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata.
Pramod Boro, Chief Executive Member, Bodoland Territorial Region along with Lt Gen Ram Chander Tiwari, UYSM, AVSM, SM, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Command will declare the match open with a symbolic kick-off the match ball. The crowd will be treated to an impressive array of performances and displays, highlighting both military and local cultural heritage along with flypast of Army Aviation Helicopters, LCH and microlight flights followed by a spectacular skydiving display by the 11 Para Special Forces.
North East United who were the semi-finalists of the last edition of the Durand Cup will look to go one place better with a strong start against local side Bodoland FC. They have strengthened their side some quality Indian and foreign signings and have retained their core from last year. Parthib Gogoi who had a fantastic Durand Cup last season will be the player to watch out this season also.
Speaking ahead of the game, NorthEast Head Coach Juan Pedro Benali said, “The Durand Cup is a fantastic tournament that helps many of our players to get into competitive action. Participating in the Durand Cup brings prestige to everyone, which is crucial to us. Our fans always push us to be at our best and it is important for us that we make them happy with positive results.”
On the other hand, Bodoland FC who are making their second consecutive appearance in the Durand Cup will have the backing of their passionate fans who turn up in numbers to support their side. Even though, they will start the match as underdogs, Bodoland are capable of creating an upset or two to make Group E interesting.
“Playing against a big team like NorthEast United is a big challenge for us but we are well prepared and will give our full effort to get a positive result. It’s an important game for the whole BTR region tomorrow and I am sure that our fans will support us which will motivate us to push harder to play well.” Said Bodoland FC Head Coach Khlain Pyrkhat Syiemlieh ahead of the game.
In the second match of the day, Punjab FC will look to start their campaign on a winning note against CISF Protectors XI. Punjab FC will look to better their performance from last the last edition where they finished last in Group A losing to Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan and East Bengal and finishing with a solitary point. With a new Head Coach in Panagiotis Dilmperis, the side from Mohali will look to hit the ground running with a win.
Speaking ahead of the match he said, “This will be the first match of the new season and we are eager to get on to the field. We have a balanced unit with experienced and young players and we will look to do our basics right and get all three points.”
CISF Protectors XI will add to the legacy of Armed Forces and Paramilitary teams who have graced the Durand Cup in the past years with pride. The relatively unknown team will hope to be a surprise element in the tournament which has seen many big names fall in the past editions.
The 24-teams have been divided into six groups with Groups A, B and C being played in Kolkata while Group D, E and F being held in Jamshedpur, Kokrajhar and Shillong respectively. Group toppers and two best second-placed teams will make it to the quarterfinals scheduled in Kokarajhar and Jamshedpur, besides Kolkata.
Report: Pratyusha Mukherjee
