Defending champions NorthEast United FC will face 17-time winners Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the second semi-final of the Durand Cup at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, here on Thursday, August 20, with a place in the final at stake.
NorthEast United have continued its impressive run in the tournament and is now just one win away from a third consecutive final. The Highlanders reached their fourth straight semi-final after producing a remarkable comeback against home side Shillong Lajong in the quarter-finals.
Trailing 2-1 at half-time, NEUFC turned the match around with a four-goal second-half blitz to register a 5-2 victory and underline their credentials as defending champions.
Mohun Bagan, the most successful team in Durand Cup history with 17 titles, have taken a different route to the last four. The Mariners went through the group stage without conceding a goal before being pushed all the way by Jamshedpur FC in the quarter-finals. The match ended 1-1 after regulation time, with Mohun Bagan eventually prevailing 9-8 in a marathon sudden-death penalty shootout. Goalkeeper Vishal Kaith played a key role in their dramatic victory.
For NorthEast United, the semi-final is another step towards an unprecedented three-peat. Head coach Juan Pedro Benali knows the challenge posed by a strong Mohun Bagan side.
“It’s the semi-final of the Durand Cup, a very important game for us, and also for Mohun Bagan,” said Benali. “It will not be easy for either team. We’re talking about an opponent where nearly all their domestic players are national team regulars, combined with highly talented foreign players and a great coach.”
Mohun Bagan head coach Panagiotis Dilmperis will also be looking to claim his first silverware with the club before the ISL 2026-27 season.
Benali, who knows Dilmperis well, added, “Panos is a friend, but inside the field, there are no friends. He is a great coach leading a very good team.”
The Kolkata club hold the historical edge, having won 10 of their 13 meetings with NEUFC, while the Highlanders have won two and one match ended in a draw. Both teams head into the semi-final with fully fit squads.