Kolkata, Aug 16: The 134th Durand Cup knockout stage promises high drama with two blockbuster quarterfinals lined up this weekend.
On Saturday, Jamshedpur FC take on debutants Diamond Harbour FC at the JRD Tata Sports Complex, before arch-rivals East Bengal and Mohun Bagan lock horns in the Kolkata Derby on Sunday at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan.
Jamshedpur, led by interim coach Steven Dias, stormed into the last eight after topping Group C with three wins. Dias has called for fan support as his side look to maintain momentum at home, banking on skipper Pronay Haldar, Ritwik Das, and Japanese attacker Rei Tachikawa.
Their opponents, Diamond Harbour, coached by Kibu Vicuna, have been the surprise package of the tournament, edging into the knockouts with an impressive run that included wins over Mohammedan SC and BSF.
With striker Luka Majcen in fine form, the Durand debutants will look to extend their fairytale despite missing the injured Clayton Silva.
If Saturday sets the stage, Sunday will deliver the spectacle. East Bengal and Mohun Bagan, unbeaten in the group stages, clash in a high-voltage Kolkata Derby that will decide a semifinal spot. East Bengal, revitalised under Oscar Bruzon and powered by new signings Hamid Ahadad, Miguel Figueira, and Dimitrios Diamantakos, have looked ruthless in attack. Mohun Bagan, under José Francisco Molina, boast tournament top-scorer Liston Colaco and playmaker Sahal Abdul Samad, though injuries may test their depth.
With 33 Durand titles between them, the century-old rivalry will add another chapter as Kolkata turns into a carnival ahead of Sunday night’s showdown.
Fans snapped up tickets within hours, ensuring Salt Lake Stadium will once again be a cauldron of passion when tradition, pride, and a semifinal place are all on the line.With a fairytale clash and the Derby of Derbies on the horizon, the Durand Cup quarterfinals promise a weekend of football that fans across the country will not want to miss. (IANS)
