The first semifinal of the 131st edition of the Durand Cup sees local favourites Mohammedan SC taking on Mumbai City FC at the Salt Lake stadium. Follow this space for all live updates.
Live Blog
FULLTIME
Full-time at YBK as the away team advanced through MDSC to reach the finals. Full-time score MDSC 0-1 MCFC That’s all for today!
Added Time
3 Mins added time being rewarded
90′ GOOOOOAAAAL
Here comes the big blow from MCFC. Bipin Singh is the scorer MDSC 0-1 MCFC
85′ Last five mins
Crucial last five mins of the game MDSC 0-0 MCFC
83′ Desperate defending
Crucial defending by MDSC to prevent the away team from scoring the opener MDSC 0-0 MCFC
80′ Final ten mins
Crucial last ten mins of the game MDSC 0-0 MCFC
76′ Shot off target
Shot off target by Chhangte MDSC 0-0 MCFC
73′ MCFC slowing down the tempo
MCFC trying to keep the composure MDSC 0-0 MCFC
67′ Opportunity wasted
Another opportunity wasted for the home team as Joseph’s shot was off target MDSC 0-0 MCFC
65′ Another effort
Another brilliant effort from Jospeh brilliantly saved MDSC 0-0 MCFC
64′ So close
A brilliant effort from Joseph to give MDSC the lead through a great freekick, Just wide MDSC 0-0 MCFC
63′ Freekick
Freekick in a dangerous area for the hometeam MDSC 0-0 MCFC
59′ Brilliant save
Brilliant save from Zothanmawia to prevent Stewart from opening goal MDSC 0-0 MCFC
53′ Banking on the quick counter
MCFC trying to unlock MDSC defence with counter-attacking football MDSC 0-0 MCFC
48′ A good start
A good start to the second half for MCFC MDSC 0-0 MCFC
46′ We are back!
Action resumes for the second half MDSC 0-0 MCFC
Halftime
The referee blows the whistle for halftime MDSC 0-0 MCFC
Added Time
2 min extra time is being awarded
43′ So close
So close for MCFC but no one in the box to tap in the cross MDSC 0-0 MCFC
38′ Cagey battle
A tight battle between two teams to gain the momentum of the game MDSC 0-0 MCFC
34′ Chhangte off colour so far
Man in form Chhangte yet to make his mark for the game MDSC 0-0 MCFC
32′ Pressure through corners
MCFC trying to impose their dominance with consecutive corners MDSC 0-0 MCFC
29′ Slowing the tempo
MCFC trying to slow the tempo and slowly getting into the game MDSC 0-0 MCFC
26′ Shot off target
Shot off target by Marcus Joseph MDSC 0-0 MCFC
21′ Early Substitution
Early sub for MCFC MDSC 0-0 MCFC
18′ Marcus Joseph is everywhere
MDSC’s number ten is just everywhere on the pitch dictating and controlling the tempo MDSC 0-0 MCFC
15′ Midfield battle
MDSC is winning the midfield battle so far MDSC 0-0 MCFC
13′ Marcus Jospeh taking the charge
Marcus Joseph is dictating the play for the home team so far MDSC 0-0 MCFC
10′ Dangerous cross
A dangerous cross from Faiaz but no one was there to tap it in MDSC 0-0 MCFC
07′ Yet to gain the momentum
MCFC not being able to win the second balls in midfield so far MDSC 0-0 MCFC
05′ Pritam’s dangerous run
Pritam cutting through the flank and trying to create the space for the home team MDSC 0-0 MCFC
03′ Good Start
Good start to the game for the home team as they try to gain momentum early on MDSC 0-0 MCFC
01′ Kick-off
Kick-off at YBK MDSC 0-0 MCFC
Starting XIs
The teams line up in the following way:
Live stream
Click here for the live stream
Mohammedan SC vs Mumbai City FC: Preview
Mumbai City FC faces the challenge of local favourites Mohammedan Sporting (MDSP) in the first semi-final of the 131st IndianOil Durand Cup at Kolkata’s Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) on Wednesday, September 14, 2022. The match is scheduled for a 6.00 pm IST kick-off.
On paper, the Islanders might have the slight edge going into the big game on Wednesday, given the sheer menacing nature of their attacking game and the quality and experience of the overall squad. But if the Islanders have scored 18 times in the tournament so far, the highest among all 20 teams, the Black & White brigade have been no slouch having scored a dozen times themselves. They have looked very well organized and settled under Russian coach Andrey Chernyshov, letting in just two in their campaign to the Islanders 10. MDSP also gave fellow semi-finalists Bengaluru FC a run for their money in a 1-1 draw and have played a pleasing brand of football.
Greg Stewart and Lallianzuala Chhangte have been the leading lights of the MCFC campaign scoring 13 times between them – the latter currently the tournament’s highest scorer with seven goals to his name. With the addition of experienced Senegalese defender Mourtada Fall and ace distributor Rowlin Borges, the Islanders now also look even more balanced and potent.
Little wonder then that Des Buckingham was a picture of calm and confidence in the pre-match presser when he said, “We will try to win within 90 minutes.” He was however respectful of his opponents adding, “Mohammedan are a good side. Look at the way they are playing. They will be playing on their home ground. I respect all the players of Mohammedan. Joseph is a good player, even Dauda. The way both the teams play I hope it’s going be an interesting game tomorrow. Looking forward to tomorrow’s game.”
Buckingham was referring to MDSP’s recent lethal addition to the side, Nigerian striker Abiola Dauda, who struck twice in his debut for the Black & Whites, in the quarter-finals against the Kerala Blasters. With the newfound assist powers of Trinidadian Marcus Joseph, the Mumbai defence will have a task on its hand and that is where Buckingham will believe that Fall can play a big role.
Coach Chernyshov was also aware of the enormity of the task at hand. He said at the pre-match presser, “Mumbai is a strong team. But we have prepared ourselves. If we can play in our own style and play good football then we can get good results. Tomorrow we are expecting a really difficult game. This is one step from the final, so an important game. Both teams have played nicely so they will want to win. Tomorrow’s match will be good for the supporters because they are going to witness a very good match.”
In football, there are quality players, good coaches, favourite teams and underdogs. There are pitch conditions and there is the home crowd and there are stakes. And all those factors converge on Wednesday at the VYBK. Expect a tight but mouthwatering game of football tonight!
Where to watch?
The match will be telecasted on Sports18-1, Sports18-1HD, Voot, Khel and JioTV.