Mohammedan Sporting and Mumbai City FC meet in an exciting Group B clash of the 2023 Durand Cup.
MSC vs MCFC Match Details
Date: Saturday, 05 August 2023
Time: 16:45 (IST)
Venue: Kishore Bharati Stadium, Kolkata
MSC vs MCFC Match Preview
One of Kolkata’s top clubs, Mohammedan Sporting will open their Durand Cup campaign against ISL Shield winners Mumbai City FC. The Black Panthers did not enjoy the best of the season in the I-League as they finished a low eighth, suffering 10 losses and managing just seven wins from 22 matches. However, they have made a decent start to the Calcutta League this time and will be hoping to carry forward the momentum into the Durand Cup. Last year, Mohammedan Sporting made a run to the semifinals beaten by none other than Mumbai City FC themselves. In a tight match, Bipin Singh scored the winner in the dying embers of the match for a 1-0 victory. They also topped the group in that edition something coach Mehrajuddin Wadoo will want again in addition to taking revenge in this match. Mohammedan will also face another ISL side in Jamshedpur and the Indian Navy in the group. With promotion to ISL starting from last season, the Black Panthers will wish for an ideal preparation for the I-League through this tournament.
Mumbai City FC had a historical campaign in the ISL last term. Not only were they ISL Shield winners by a stretch but also broke a series of records in the competition. At the time of winning the shield, they were unbeaten and lost just twice in the league phase. They registered an unprecedented 46 points in 18 games. Also establishing a streak of 11 wins in a row. While they failed at the semi-final stage of the ISL playoffs, Des Buckingham’s side beat Jamshedpur FC in the AFC Champions League qualifiers to be in the group stage of the continental competition for the second successive season. Now, the target for the Islanders is to repeat those achievements which will be truly sensational. After their pre-season camp in Thailand, Mumbai City FC gets ready for the Indian football season starting with the Durand Cup on Saturday. The Islanders reached the final in 2022 and with a full-fledged squad registered for the contest, expectations are more of the same.
MSC vs MCFC Predicted Lineups
MSC: Padam Chettri; Vanlalzudika Chhakchhuak, Wayne Vaz, Dipu Halder, Samad Mallick; Sk Faiaz, Tanmoy Ghosh, Abhijit Sarkar, Bikash Singh; David Lalhlansanga, Denzil Kharshandi
MCFC: Phurba Lachenpa; Rahul Bheke, Mehtab Singh, Tiri, Sanjeev Stalin; Noguera, Apuia, Greg Stewart; Lallianzuala Chhangte, Jorge Diaz, Bipin Singh
MSC vs MCFC Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Lachenpa (7.5)
DEF: M Singh (9), Tiri (8.5), Vaz (8.5), Chhakchhuak (8)
MID: Faiaz (9), Noguera (8.5), Bipin (9)
FW: Gomez (8.5), Stewart (9), Chhangte (9)
Vice-captain: Lallianzuala Chhangte
Captain: Bipin Singh or Greg Stewart or Chhangte
Lallianzuala Chhangte won the Golden Boot with 7 goals last time in the Durand Cup. The 25-year-old scored 10 goals and delivered six assists in 20 ISL matches as well. He has also been in scoring form with the national team.
His teammate Greg Stewart came second on the list with 6 goals. The Scottish playmaker contributed to 15 goals (8 goals, 7 assists) in 18 ISL matches last time.
Bipin Singh scored 6 goals and provided 2 assists in the league as well. He also scored in the 3-0 win over Thai League 1 club PT Prachuap FC.
