Kolkata: The 133rd edition of the IndianOil Durand Cup is set to kick off with a spectacular opening ceremony at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharti Krirangan (VYBK) on Saturday, July 27, 2024. Defending champions Mohun Bagan Super Giants (MBSG) will begin their title defense against Srinagar’s Downtown Heroes FC in the tournament opener, with the match starting at 6:00 PM Indian Standard Time (IST).
The opening ceremony promises to be a grand affair, featuring a flypast by Army and Aircraft helicopters, followed by an elaborate cultural soiree. Chief Guest Shri Aroop Biswas, Hon. Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs, Power and Non-Conventional Energy and Housing, Government of West Bengal, along with other key dignitaries, will meet the teams on the field and participate in a group photograph.
Downtown Heroes FC, now in their fourth year, bring a fresh and exciting dynamic to the competition. Known for their focus on nurturing young, homegrown talent, the Heroes made their IndianOil Durand Cup debut last season and also participated in the 2022-23 I-League Division 2.
Mohun Bagan SG, the reigning champions, are eager to build on their recent success, including clinching the ISL Shield last season. Under the leadership of head coach Jose Francisco Molina, the squad boasts notable international signings such as Jamie Maclaren, Greg Stewart, Alberto Rodriguez, and Tom Aldred. Despite a history of slow starts in season openers, the Super Giants are expected to be formidable opponents.
Downtown Heroes FC captain Basit Ahmed expressed confidence ahead of the match, stating, “We are ready to make all the Kashmiri people and clubs in Kashmir proud. We are thrilled to participate in this prestigious tournament and are working hard to deliver our best performance.”
The 133rd IndianOil Durand Cup is being hosted in four states for the first time this year, with Shillong and Jamshedpur joining Kolkata and Kokrajhar as host cities. The 24 participating teams are divided into six groups: Groups A, B, and C in Kolkata, Groups D, E, and F in Jamshedpur, Kokrajhar, and Shillong, respectively. The top team from each group, along with the two best second-placed teams, will advance to the quarterfinals, which will be held in Kokrajhar, Jamshedpur, and Kolkata.