The new season is almost here, with the 133rd edition of the Durand Cup set to begin this Saturday. This prestigious tournament presents a valuable opportunity for clubs to assess their squad strength and refine their strategies ahead of the upcoming league campaign.
Group C, one of the toughest groups in the tournament, features three Indian Super League (ISL) sides—Mumbai City FC, Kerala Blasters FC, and Punjab FC—along with the Indian Armed Forces team, CISF Protectors, according to the ISL website.
Kerala Blasters FC and Punjab FC have both seen changes in their head coach positions and a flurry of new arrivals. Both teams will be aiming to challenge Mumbai City FC for the top spot and start their new era positively under their new coaches.
Two-time ISL Shield and Cup winners Mumbai City FC will field their reserve side in the Durand Cup, offering a prime opportunity for their academy players to showcase their talent.
Meanwhile, the CISF Protectors will be eager to make an impact and potentially disrupt the group’s outcomes.
Kerala Blasters FC are looking forward to a fresh start under new head coach Mikael Stahre, who aims to make an immediate impact. The team has been training rigorously during their pre-season tour in Thailand with a full-strength squad. The arrival of Moroccan forward Noah Sadaoui, who was the joint-highest goalscorer last year with six goals, brings new hope for the Blasters. They will rely on the partnership between Sadaoui and Adrian Luna to strengthen their attack. Stahre will also hope to align the team with his philosophy and secure results in his debut assignment.
Punjab FC, after a strong second-half finish in the ISL last season, is starting anew this season. Following significant changes, including the departure of their previous head coach Staikos Vergetis, Panagiotis Dilmperis has stepped in as the new head coach. The team is currently in a rebuilding phase and has re-signed forward Luka Majcen, who will be a key player in their attack following the departures of Madih Talal and Wilmar Jordan Gil.
(With ANI Inputs)
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