Defending champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant return to their home ground as they square off against former champions Bengaluru FC in the second semi-final of the 2024 Durand Cup
At the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Tuesday, the reigning champions Mohun Bagan Super Giants will play their 2024 Durand Cup second semi-final matchup against the reigning champions Bengaluru FC. In an exciting sudden death match, the Mariners defeated Punjab FC 6-5 after both sides were tied 3-3 during normal time in the quarterfinal. In the semi-final matchup with Bengaluru FC, the winners of the 2022 Durand Cup, the reigning champions will be eager to get back to their home field.
However, according to an Indian Super League (ISL) news release, Jorge Pereyra Diaz’s goal in the 95th minute secured Bengaluru FC’s close 1-0 victory against southern rivals Kerala Blasters to secure their place in the semi-finals.
The head coach of Mohun Bagan SG, Jose Molina, stated prior to the game, which kicks off at 5:30 PM, “Bengaluru FC are a good team.” They have a few really talented players, but the squad as a whole, not any one player, is what I have in mind and worry about. The game is going to be excellent. Although Jamie Maclaren and Ashique Kuruniyan won’t be with us tomorrow, the remainder of the team is prepared to play their hardest. We will benefit from playing on our home field.
In the quarterfinals, Mohun Bagan Super Giant had to dig deep as their whole star lineup was put to the test against a disciplined and tough Punjab FC team. During regulation time, the Mariners scored goals through Suhail Bhatt, Manvir Singh, and Jason Cummings. To guarantee that the game went to penalties, Jose Molina had to employ all of his star power, bringing in Greg Stewart, Dimitrios Petratos, and Apuia.
Bengaluru FC defeated Kerala Blasters, their bitter rivals, in the last seconds of injury time in their quarterfinal match. They have been playing excellently in the competition, winning all of their group games to take first place, scoring 10 goals and giving up only two goals. Under Gerard Zaragoza, they have appeared cohesive, with captain Sunil Chhetri and new additions Jorge Pereyra Diaz and Alberto Noguera playing nicely in the final third.
“Mohun Bagan Super Giant is a team that has really talented players across the pitch, and we are sure that this will be a fixture that demands us to be focused,” Bengaluru FC head coach Gerard Zaragoza stated prior to the game. I was pleased with how we remained compact and defended as a team against the Blasters. I thought we had good control over the game for the majority of the ninety minutes, and we will need to attempt to repeat that tomorrow.”
The pivotal game, which takes place on Saturday at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, will determine which of the two past champions advances to face NorthEast United in the Durand Cup final.
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