It has been a perfect start to the season for NorthEast United FC who have romped past their opponents in the group stage of Durand Cup. But Juan Pedro Benali’s men will be eager to stamp their authority in the tournament when they take on Indian Army in the quarterfinals at SAI Stadium in Assam’s Kokrajhar on Wednesday.
Grouped with Indian Super League rivals Odisha FC, local side Bodoland FC and BSF Football Team, the Highlanders won all of their three fixtures in Group E and announced themselves as contenders for the top honour.
The Durand Cup has become the kick-off tournament for the Indian domestic season and has helped the teams test themselves for the long campaign ahead. NEUFC, who missed out on securing a spot in the final of last year’s Durand Cup, will be hoping to better their performance this time around and will have Indian Army FT as their first challenge on their way to a successful season.
In the other match of the day, local favourites Shillong Lajong will have an uphill task as they will face off against Kolkata giants East Bengal at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong in the evening quarterfinal fixture.
The match was originally scheduled to be held at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata but was shifted to the Meghalaya capital because of the volatile situation in West Bengal amid protests for the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at a city hospital.
Following the abandonment of Sunday’s group-stage derby against Mohun Bagan SG, East Bengal progressed to the last 8 as one of the two best second-placed teams.
They reached Shillong only at night due to delayed morning flight, further compounding the situation for Carles Cuadrat’s side.
