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United News of India
6 hours ago
- Sport
- United News of India
Durand Cup: Luka winner gives DHFC full points against Md Sporting
Kolkata, July 28 (UNI) Debutants Diamond Harbour FC (DHFC), rode on Slovenian poacher Luka Majcen's injury time winner, to register a historic 2-1 victory against former champions and local giants Mohammedan Sporting in the first Group B clash here today. Thokchom Adison Singh scored for the Kolkata giants in the first half with DHFC's Sairuatkima drawing parity in the second for the debutants at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK). Just as it looked that the match was petering out into a tame draw, Luka penetrated the Mohammedan defence, got lucky with a rebound and calmly slotted home the winner to give his side full three points. Celebrated DHFC coach Kibu Vicuna began with a four-man defence and three-man forward line. Mohammedan gaffer Mehraj Ud Din Wadoo, on the other hand, went in with a 3-4-3 formation to begin proceedings. The first goal came after the half-hour mark and before that the only chance of note had fallen to the I-League 2 champions, when new recruit from Brazil, Clayton Da Silva hit his shot just wide off the Mohammedan post. Ashley Alban Koli it was with the assist as he found Thokchom's run from the right with a floater from centre of midfield. The diminutive Mohammedan winger controlled well and burst in with pace. With experienced defender Melroy Assisi in attendance, Thokchom drove towards the near post with keeper Mirshad in position. The low drive caught Mirshad's palm, deflected onto his thighs and bulged the net. Vicuna did not waste time as Mohammedan took the lead into the half-time break. He made two changes, bringing in Luka Majcen and Samuel in place of Clayton and Naro Hari Shrestha up front. That brought immediate results just after the break, as Samuel's corner from the right saw DHFC defender Sairuatkima meet it with a strong header which beat Subhajit Bhattacharjee in the Mohammedan goal. Former Chennayin FC star Sajal Bag then had the best chance of the rest of the half when his pile driver from range in the 83rd minute, shaved Mirshad's palm and struck the post. Mohammedan did play good football throughout the match and looked stronger in finish, but Luka Majcen's opportunism inside the box, changed the course of the match. Samuel chested down to put Luka through and after his first shot was saved by Subhajit, it deflected off Dinesh Meetei in the Mohammedan defence and rolled back in the Slovenian's path, who finished with elan. UNI RKM SSP
New Indian Express
14 hours ago
- Sport
- New Indian Express
Luka Majcen late winner in Diamond Harbour FC win
Debutants and I-League 2 champions Diamond Harbour FC (DHFC) rode on Slovenian poacher Luka Majcen's injury-time winner to register a historic 2-1 victory against former champions and local giants Mohammedan Sporting in the first Group B clash at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) in Kolkata. Thokchom Adison Singh scored for the Kolkata giants in the first half with DHFC's Sairuatkima drawing parity in the second for the debutants. Just as it looked that the match was petering out for a tame draw, Luka penetrated the Mohammedan defence, got lucky with a rebound and calmly slotted home the winner to give his side full three points. Celebrated DHFC coach Kibu Vicuna began with a four-man defence and three-man forward line. Mohammedan gaffer Mehraj Ud Din Wadoo on the other hand went in with a 3-4-3 to begin proceedings. The first goal came after the half-hour mark and before that the only chance of note had fallen to the I-League 2 champions ,when new recruit from Brazil, Clayton Da Silva hit his shot just wide off the Mohammedan post. Ashley Alban Koli it was with the assist as he found Thokchom's run from the right with a floater from centre of midfield. The diminutive Mohammedan winger controlled well and burst in with pace. With experienced defender Melroy Assisi in attendance, Thokchom drove towards the near post with keeper Mirshad in position. The low drive caught Mirshad's palm, deflected onto his thighs and bulged the net.
News18
a day ago
- Business
- News18
Durand Cup 2025: Mohammedan SC And Diamond Harbour FC In 'Kolkata Derby'
Last Updated: Mohammedan Sporting Club and Diamond Harbour FC kick-off their 134th Edition Durand Cup 2025 campaign with a Group B clash. On paper it is a Kolkata derby as Indian Super League (ISL) side Mohammedan Sporting Club take on I-League 2 champions Diamond Harbour FC in the 134th edition of the Durand Cup at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) on Monday. It should be a mismatch on paper again, a team from the first division of the country against a side climbing the ranks steadily. But the reality is far from it. West Bengal's Diamond Harbour FC was established in 2022 by All India Trinamool Congress National General Secretary and the Member of Parliament of Diamond Harbour, Abhishek Banerjee. Kibu Vicuna, who has previously helmed Mohun Bagan and Kerala Blasters, was appointed as the club's first head coach and still is at the helm. In 2025, DHFC are making their debut in the Durand Cup after winning back-to-back promotions in I-League 3 and 2 to reach I-League. Diamond Harbour have come prepared for their first bow in the oldest tournament in Asia. Statement signings like striker Luka Majcen of Punjab FC alongside players with ISL experience – like Jobby Justin, Melroy Assisi, Wungngayam Muirang, Mirshad Michu and Halicharan Narzary. Despite having established names in their ranks have seen their stature diminish in the last few years, despite winning the I-League and gaining promotion to the ISL. Financial mismanagement, absence of investors and a general lack of funds have seen multiple players leave the side over the summer. FIFA and AIFF transfer bans have rightfully ensued. As per local media reports, last season's club captain Samad Ali Mallick was forced to leave the side in order to earn a living. Mohammedan still have Amarjit Singh Kiyam, Gaurav Bora, Padam Chhetri and Abhishek Halder along with young starlets like Ashley Alban Koli and Makan Winkle Chote but will play the tournament with a blend of reserve squad players, talented Bengal-based footballers, and promising youth prospects. Head coach Mehrajuddin Wadoo, who had taken over the reigns mid-way through last season will hope that the margin of defeat will not mean ousting from the Durand Cup after the first game itself. Goal-difference and margin of victories may come into play in a group that includes last year's runners up and 17 times champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant along with Border Security Force FT. A derby on paper but a contest that may see change of guard in Kolkata football. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
East Bengal steamrollers debutant South United
Emami East Bengal asserted its superiority with a convincing 5-0 win over debutant South United FC in the opening Group-A match of the 134th edition of the Durand Cup football tournament at the Salt Lake Stadium here on Wednesday. Defender Lalchungnunga opened the scoring early in the first half before Saul Crespo netted a penalty to make it 2-0. Bipin Singh made a fine debut for East Bengal as he found the net within minutes after his introduction late in the second half. Dimitrios Diamantakos, also coming in as a substitute, scored from a free-kick to enhance East Bengal's tally before Naorem Mahesh Singh provided the finishing touch with a nice long-ranger in the penultimate minute of the match. Outplayed It was a harrowing debut for South United as the Bengaluru-based team was unable to find its footing against the might of the ISL side East Bengal, which dominated the action with over 70% ball possession. South United, whose best show so far has been playing in the I-League 2, had to rely on its local league recruits against a much-higher budget opponent which also fielded three foreigners. The result: Group-A: Emami East Bengal 5 (Lalchungnunga 12, Crespo 37-pen, Bipin Singh 79, Diamantakos 86, Mahesh Singh 89) bt South United FC 0.
New Indian Express
19-07-2025
- Sport
- New Indian Express
Durand Cup: Home favourites hope for strong start to wrest early advantage
CHENNAI: The first week of 134th IndianOil Durand Cup promises to be an exciting one with 10 matches slotted across five host cities Kolkata, Jamshedpur, Shillong, Kokrajhar and Imphal from July 23. This was shared by the organising committee of Saturday. Top Indian Super League (ISL) teams Emami East Bengal FC (16-time former winners) and Jamshedpur FC (former ISL League Winners Shield winners) kick-off one after another on the first two match days, while at least three local derbies, featuring other top local contenders like Mohammedan Sporting (former champions), Shillong Lajong FC and Neroca FC (former finalists), are also likely to garner significant local interest. With teams like ISL champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant, defending champions NorthEast United FC and ISL side Punjab FC beginning in week two, early three points will give a fillip to the early starters looking to seal knockout berths. The openers The two games down in the plains before moving up to the beautiful hills of the North East, features giants East Bengal against Bengaluru League top division side South United FC in a tricky Group A opener, also the first game of the tournament, at home at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) in Kolkata. That will be followed the next day by Jamshedpur taking on Nepal's Tribhuvan Army at their home at the JDR Tata Sports Complex in the Steel City. The Red Miners also play their second Group C game in week one, against the Malaysian Army outfit this time and nothing short of two wins will satisfy their growing fan base. Likewise, now with a new line-up of foreign recruits in their camp, fans of the Red & Gold brigade will demand nothing less than a confident win in their opener. The three derbies The first derby of the 134th IndianOil Durand Cup, this year features a different kind of Kolkata derby, with the century-old Mohammedan Sporting taking on Calcutta Premier Division League rivals Diamond Harbour FC (DHFC), the I-League 2 champions. Mohammedan are looking for their first win over the newly formed and fast rising outfit, with DHFC winning one of the two matches played between them so far. The second will see the ever-popular Shillong Lajong FC, take on another Shillong side Rangdaijed United, with both teams on the path to regain lost glory. The Shillong derby will be played at the JLN stadium as the opening game of Group E. The final derby of week one will witness the famous Imphal derby between old rivals Neroca FC and TRAU FC as the Durand Cup makes a return to the capital of Manipur. It will sure be a treat to see the picturesque Khuman Lampak packed with football lovers once again. Matches live: Sony Ten2 and SonyLIV Source: Organisers
