Northeast United face holders Mohun Bagan Super Giant at the 133rd Durand Cup final hosted in Salt Lake Stadium.
NOE vs MBG Match Details
Date: Saturday, 31 August 2024
Time: 17:30 (IST)
Venue: Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata
NOE vs MBG Match Preview
Northeast United are set to experience their first major tournament final after repeating their 3-0 victory over Shillong Lajong last year on the same opponents in the semifinal of the Durand Cup 2024. Thoi Singh scored the opening goal in the 13th minute before the lead was doubled by new signing Alaaeddine Ajaraie scoring his first for the club at the half-hour mark. The icing on the cake was added by Parthib Gogoi, who bagged a hattrick in the last fixture, in stoppage time to leave the home support at Lajong disheartened. The historical run of the Highlanders will be remembered for a long time if they manage to win the whole thing on Saturday but a strong challenge in the form of the holders stands in their way. Northeast United have not beaten Mohun Bagan away from home and it will be a daunting task they need to complete to clinch the first silverware in their history. Juan Pedro Benali’s men have won all their games in the tournament so far with just one goal conceded, a positive momentum to have before their history-seeking match.
Another comeback, another dramatic win on penalties lifted Mohun Bagan Super Giant to back-to-back Durand Cup final for the first time in 37 years. Trailing 2-0 to a formidable Bengaluru FC in the semifinal with 20 minutes left, the Mariners roared back with Dimitri Petratos converting from the spot before Anirudh Thapa’s smashing volley leveled the scores. Vishal ‘superman’ Kaith rosed to the occasion in the shootout, as he did against Punjab FC in the quarterfinal, saving two crucial penalties to send Bagan through. While the defence remained patchy, Jose Molina will be happy for his players’ never-die attitude which keeps their hope of defending the Durand Cup title by winning it for a record-extending 18th time alive. The team defeated city rivals East Bengal last year to set the record and will be keen to add to their legacy being the favourites on paper. However, Bagan needs to avoid any complacency settling in their mind as they look to begin the ISL Shield defence in September with a title in bag.
NOE vs MBG Team News
Northeast United are expected to remain unchanged from their semi-final win over Shillong Lajong. Meanwhile, Mohun Bagan Super Giant could make one change if Subhasish Bose failed to pass his fitness test for the final having taken off the pitch with an injury at the half-hour mark in the last game. Dippendu Biswas, who replaced him, will earn a start in the final in that case.
NOE vs MBG Predicted Lineups
Northeast United
Gurmeet Singh; Dinesh Singh, Hamza Regragui, Asheer Akhtar, Buanthanglun Samte; Ali Bemammer, Mayakannan; Thoi Singh, Nestor Albiach, Jithin M.S; Alaaeddine Ajaraie
Mohun Bagan Super Giant
Vishal Kaith; Dipendu Biswas, Tom Aldred, Alvaro Rodriguez; Manvir Singh, Anirudh Thapa, Apuia, Sahal Samad, Liston Colaco; Greg Stewart, Jason Cummings, Dimitri Petratos
NOE vs MBG Dream11 Match Prediction
Despite Northeast United’s sprawling display in the tournament and Mohun Bagan’s shaky defence, the Mariners are expected to defend the Durand Cup title carrying title-winning experience at the Salt Lake Stadium. We predict a 2-1 victory for Jose Molina’s side.
NOE vs MBG Dream11 Top picks
Captain Pick: Dimitri Petratos
Vice-captain Picks: Jithin M.S, Jason Cummings, Anirudh Thapa
NOE vs MBG Dream11 Team Suggestion
GK: Kaith (Cr - 7.5)
DEF: Regragui (Cr - 8), Rodriguez (Cr - 8), Samte (Cr - 7.5)
MID: Thoi (Cr - 8.5), Sahal (Cr - 7.5), Thapa (Cr - 8), Petratos (Cr - 8)
FW: Manvir (Cr - 8.5), Cummings (Cr - 9), Jithin (Cr - 8.5)
Vice-captain: Jithin M.S
Captain: Dimitri Petratos
