FC Bengaluru United (FCBU) were the first team from the group to qualify for the knockouts when they beat Indian Air Force 4-2 at the same venue on Thursday, to log six points from two games. MDSP did the same today, after having won 4-1 against the Airmen in the tournament opener. Both teams clash in their third and final game, now crucial to determine group standings, in Kalyani again, come Tuesday.

CRPF did give a good account of themselves yet again, creating several chances but could not convert any of them. In the words of the their coach Dayal Singh Bhati after the game, “We can divide the game into two halves. In the first half, we gave it our all, created chances but could not convert. In the second, they played better and our team collapsed in the end. But I am happy and proud at the way my boys performed.”

Central defender Amarjeet Singh could have put his team ahead in the first minute itself having found space inside the box to shoot, but could not hit the target. Amarjeet then missed a couple of headers, one in the first-half and another in the second.

In the 13th minute however, Faisal took a corner for MDSP and played it short just outside the box, got it back to drive in and cross low for Azharuddin Mallick, who deflected it past the keeper from the near post.

MDSP took that one goal lead into the break although CRPF could have almost equalised minutes before the half-time whistle when midfielder Rajinder Kumar executed a spectacular bicycle-kick from inside the box. It was headed for goal but was cleared in time by the MDSP defense.

After the break, Dashpreet, the star of CRPF’s first game and who had a relatively quite game on the day, unleashed a pile driver in the 58th minute, which was parried away by the keeper and then came off the crossbar.

It was then left to Marcus to seal the deal for MDSP and he did it in style, scoring two in two minutes. Azhar then added a fourth, four minutes from regulation time.

It was to be a goalfest though and Dashpreet finally got on the scoreboard, tapping one in from a melee inside the MDSP six-yard box and substitute Brandon then added a fifth for MDSP and the second of the game in injury time.

Azharuddin Mallick for his two goals and an assist dervedlygot the Man of the Match award.

MDSP’s Russian Team Manager Andrey  Chernyshov said after the game, “It was not an easy game as the scorelinesuggests. They played well and had their chances in the first half but we came back strong in the second half and I have thanked the boys for a great result in the end.”

Azhar Mallick said there would be no let up in the final group game against FCBU commenting, “We are happy to have scored nine in two games and concede only two. However, we take it match by match and we will go all out for a win in the final game as well.”

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The curtain-raiser of the tournament will be preceded by an opening ceremony, which will be graced by the presence of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of West Bengal, Ms. Mamata Banerjee.

Mohammedan SC – the first civilian club to win the Durand Cup in 1940, are the sole flag-bearers of Kolkata football in this year’s tournament. Naturally, the grand old club will have incredible backing from a tremendously passionate fan-base from all over the city. As a result, expectations will be sky high.

The Black Panthers’Head Coach, Andrey Chernyshovis no stranger to pressure, having managed the Russian U21 and men’s senior football team (as assistant coach) from the dugouts. Now one of Mohammedan’s own, the head coach addressed how his side will be coping with the weight of expectations.  

“There is pressure in every game and every tournament.  The fans and the club’s management expect victories from us.  We talk a lot about this with the players and they are ready for it”, he said.

The Indian football season is a long and taxing one. However for coach Chernyshov, the Durand Cup is priority number one at the moment.

“We trained well during the preparatory period and played a lot.  We have gathered a lot of good players who create a strong team.  We do not think about the whole season, we always think about the game that awaits us,” he added.

Speaking on how his side have been preparing, he further said, “We are happy with the conditions that we have.  The training is going well.  We want to show good combination football.”

The two-time Durand Champions will be fazed by a tough opening challenge in the form of the Indian Air Force football team led by their excited and passionate head coach. Speaking ahead of the game, Priya Darshan, Head Coach, Indian Air Force football team expressed his thoughts ahead of their first game.

He said, “We are very excited about the Durand Cup. We love the tournament. It is so very special to the armed forces. Preparations are going well. It’s a dream come true for us to be a part of this historic cup.

“Our players will be getting a very good platform to showcase themselves against top ISL and I-League sides, they are all very excited.”

Weighing in on their heavyweight opponents for Sunday, Coach Darshan added, “Mohammedan are one of the oldest clubs in India. Their name itself carries so much weight and history. They have also done very well recently, so we know that we are up against formidable opposition.

On whether his team can keep up with the top ISL and I-League teams, he concluded by saying, “Our team is a combination of youngsters and seniors. Our advantage is physical fitness. It is an integral part that could give us the edge. Apart from that, we will fight till the final whistle and give it our very best shot”.

CREDITS- DURAND CUP MEDIA

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