The 2021 Durand Cup was the 130th edition of Durand Cup, the oldest football tournament in Asia. Like its previous edition, the tournament was hosted in West Bengal.[1] The tournament is jointly hosted by the Eastern Command of the Indian Armed Forces and the Government of West Bengal.[2]

2021 Durand Cup
Tournament poster
Tournament details
CountryIndia
Venue(s)West Bengal
Dates5 September 2021 – 3 October 2021
Teams16
Final positions
ChampionsFC Goa (1st title)
Runner-upMohammedan
Tournament statistics
Matches played29
Goals scored105 (3.62 per match)
Top goal scorer(s)Devendra Murgaonkar
Marcus Joseph
(5 goals each)
Best goalkeeperNaveen Kumar
(165 mins per goal)
← 2019
2022 →

The Durand Cup was cancelled in 2020 due to worldwide COVID-19 pandemic and was reorganised in 2021 after a year gap.[3] Gokulam Kerala were the defending champions, having defeated Mohun Bagan in the 2019 final.[4][5]

Mohammedan made their first Durand Cup final appearance since 2013 against debutants FC Goa.[6] The match went into the extra time with no goal from either side. Goan captain Edu Bedia's 105th minute solitary goal sealed Goa's victory against Mohammedan.[7] Goa became the fourth Goan team to win the Durand Cup after Salgaocar, Dempo and Churchill Brothers.

Teams edit

A total of 16 teams participated in the competition; 5 clubs from Indian Super League, 3 clubs from I-League, 2 clubs from I-League 2nd Division and 6 teams representing the Indian Armed Forces.


Team Head coach Captain Location
  Indian Super League clubs
Bengaluru[8]   Naushad Moosa   Ajith Kumar Bengaluru, Karnataka
Goa[8]   Juan Ferrando   Edu Bedia Porvorim, Goa
Hyderabad[8]   Shameel Chembakath   Pritam Kumar Singh Hyderabad, Telangana
Jamshedpur[8]   Noel Wilson   Jitendra Singh Jamshedpur, Jharkhand
Kerala Blasters[8]   Ivan Vukomanović   Jessel Carneiro Kochi, Kerala
  I-League clubs
Gokulam Kerala[9]   Vincenzo Alberto Annese   Sharif Mukhammad Calicut, Kerala
Mohammedan[10]   Andrey Chernyshov   Nikola Stojanović Kolkata, West Bengal
Sudeva Delhi[11]   Chencho Dorji   Sairuat Kima New Delhi, Delhi
  I-League 2nd Division clubs
Bengaluru United[11]   Richard Reginald Hood   Dharmaraj Ravanan Bengaluru, Karnataka
Delhi[11]   Yan Law   Anwar Ali Dwarka, Delhi
  Indian Armed Force teams
Assam Rifles[12]   Ningombam Jiten Singh   Jefferson Nongrud
Army Green[12]   Mileswamy Govindaraju Ramachandran   Roel Lepcha
Army Red[12]   Anustup Sarkar   Nongmaikapam Suresh Meitei Kolkata, West Bengal
Indian Air Force[12]   Priya Darshan   Vivek Kumar New Delhi, Delhi
Indian Navy[12]   Abhilash Vasantha Nair   Bhaskar Roy
Central Reserve Police Force[12]   Dayal Singh Bhati   Moses Antony Jalandhar, Punjab

ATK Mohun Bagan and East Bengal were invited to be part of the tournament but most of the first team players of ATK Mohun Bagan were on international break and also had their AFC Cup knockouts coinciding with the Durand Cup fixtures, thus they backed out from the tournament, while East Bengal refused participation because of investor issues. Since this year India celebrates golden jubilee of its victory over Pakistan for the liberation of Bangladesh in 1971, DFTS invited Mohammedan SC and Sk. Jamal Dhanmondi Club from Bangladesh to participate in the 130th edition of the tournament. But due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh, the clubs were unable to confirm their participation.[13]

Prize money edit

Position Prize money
Champions 4 million (equivalent to 4.5 million or US$56,000 in 2023)[14]
Runners-up 2 million (equivalent to 2.2 million or US$28,000 in 2023)[14]
Semi-finalists 0.5 million (equivalent to 560,000 or US$7,000 in 2023)[14]
Season awardees 0.1 million (equivalent to 110,000 or US$1,400 in 2023)[15]
Total ~7.3 million (US$91,000)

Official sponsors and partners edit

Source: Durand Cup

Venues edit

Kalyani Kolkata
Kalyani Stadium Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan Mohun Bagan Ground
Capacity: 20,000 Capacity: 85,000 Capacity: 20,000
     
No. of matches: 9 No. of matches: 14 No. of matches: 6

Group stage edit

Group A edit

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Bengaluru United 3 3 0 0 7 2 +5 9 Knockout stage
2 Mohammedan 3 2 0 1 9 4 +5 6
3 Indian Air Force 3 0 1 2 3 8 −5 1
4 CRPF 3 0 1 2 1 6 −5 1
Source: [citation needed]
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) goal difference; 5) number of goals scored; 6) drawing of lots

Matches edit

5 September 2021 (2021-09-05) 1 Indian Air Force 1–4 Mohammedan Kolkata
16.15 IST
Report
Stadium: Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan
Attendance: 0[a][Note *]
Man of the Match: Nikola Stojanović (Mohammedan SC)
6 September 2021 (2021-09-06) 2 CRPF 0–1 Bengaluru United Kalyani
15.00 IST
Report
Stadium: Kalyani Stadium
Attendance: 0[a][Note *]
Man of the Match: Pedro Manzi (FC Bengaluru United)
9 September 2021 (2021-09-09) 3 Indian Air Force 2–4 Bengaluru United Kalyani
15.00 IST
Report
Stadium: Kalyani Stadium
Attendance: 0[a][Note *]
Man of the Match: Yumnam Singh (FC Bengaluru United)
10 September 2021 (2021-09-10) 4 CRPF 1–5 Mohammedan Kalyani
15.00 IST
Report
Stadium: Kalyani Stadium
Attendance: 0[a][Note *]
Man of the Match: Azharuddin Mallick (Mohammedan SC)
14 September 2021 (2021-09-14) 5 Mohammedan 0–2 Bengaluru United Kalyani
15.00 IST
Report
Stadium: Kalyani Stadium
Attendance: 0[a][Note *]
Man of the Match: Kunzang Bhutia (FC Bengaluru United)
14 September 2021 (2021-09-14) 6 CRPF Cancelled Indian Air Force Kolkata
15.00 IST Report Stadium: Mohun Bagan Ground
Attendance: 0[a][Note *]
Note: The match was abandoned due to heavy rainfall and waterlogging, resulting in pitch being unfit for play. Both teams were awarded a point each.[16]

Group B edit

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Goa 3 3 0 0 9 1 +8 9 Knockout stage
2 Army Green 3 2 0 1 4 3 +1 6
3 Jamshedpur 3 1 0 2 2 8 −6 3
4 Sudeva Delhi 3 0 0 3 1 4 −3 0
Source: [citation needed]
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) goal difference; 5) number of goals scored; 6) drawing of lots

Matches edit

6 September 2021 (2021-09-06) 1 Jamshedpur 1–0 Sudeva Delhi Kolkata
15.00 IST
Report
Stadium: Mohun Bagan Ground
Attendance: 0[a][Note *]
Man of the Match: Vishal Yadav (Jamshedpur FC)
7 September 2021 (2021-09-07) 2 Goa 2–0 Army Green Kolkata
15.00 IST
Report Stadium: Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan
Attendance: 0[a][Note *]
Man of the Match: Sarath Narayanan M (Army Green)
10 September 2021 (2021-09-10) 3 Jamshedpur 1–3 Army Green Kolkata
15.00 IST
Report
  • Singh   43', 48'
  • Singh   89'
  • Chhetri   58'
Stadium: Mohun Bagan Ground
Attendance: 0[a][Note *]
Man of the Match: Deepak Singh (Army Green)
13 September 2021 (2021-09-13) 4 Goa 2–1 Sudeva Delhi Kolkata
15.00 IST
Report
Stadium: Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan
Attendance: 0[a][Note *]
Man of the Match: Seriton Fernandes (FC Goa)
17 September 2021 (2021-09-17) 5 Jamshedpur 0–5 Goa Kolkata
15.00 IST
Report
Stadium: Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan
Attendance: 0[a][Note *]
Man of the Match: Muhammed Nemil (FC Goa)
17 September 2021 (2021-09-17) 6 Army Green 1–0 Sudeva Delhi Kolkata
15.00 IST
Report
Stadium: Mohun Bagan Ground
Attendance: 0[a][Note *]
Man of the Match: Deepak Singh (Army Green)

Group C edit

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Bengaluru 3 2 1 0 9 5 +4 7 Knockout stage
2 Delhi 3 1 1 1 4 4 0 4
3 Kerala Blasters 3 1 0 2 1 3 −2 3
4 Indian Navy 3 1 0 2 5 7 −2 3
Source: Khel Now
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) goal difference; 5) number of goals scored; 6) drawing of lots

Matches edit

8 September 2021 (2021-09-08) 1 Delhi 1–2 Indian Navy Kolkata
15.00 IST
Report
Stadium: Mohun Bagan Ground
Attendance: 0[a][Note *]
Man of the Match: Dalraj Singh (Indian Navy)
11 September 2021 (2021-09-11) 2 Kerala Blasters 1–0 Indian Navy Kolkata
15.00 IST
Report
Stadium: Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan
Attendance: 0[a][Note *]
Man of the Match: Adrian Luna (Kerala Blasters)
15 September 2021 (2021-09-15) 3 Bengaluru 2–0 Kerala Blasters Kolkata
15.00 IST
Report
Stadium: Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan
Attendance: 0[a][Note *]
Man of the Match: Lara Sharma (Bengaluru FC)
18 September 2021 (2021-09-18) 4 Delhi 2–2 Bengaluru Kolkata
15.00 IST
Report
Stadium: Mohun Bagan Ground
Attendance: 0[a][Note *]
Man of the Match: Willis Plaza (Delhi FC)
21 September 2021 (2021-09-21) 5 Bengaluru 5–3 Indian Navy Kolkata
15.00 IST
Report
Stadium: Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan
Attendance: 0[a][Note *]
Man of the Match: Harmanpreet Singh (Bengaluru FC)
21 September 2021 (2021-09-21) 6 Delhi 1–0 Kerala Blasters Kolkata
15.00 IST
Report
Stadium: Kalyani Stadium
Attendance: 0[a][Note *]
Man of the Match: Anwar Ali (Delhi FC)

Group D edit

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Gokulam Kerala 3 2 1 0 10 4 +6 7 Knockout stage
2 Army Red 3 2 1 0 8 4 +4 7
3 Hyderabad 3 1 0 2 6 3 +3 3
4 Assam Rifles 3 0 0 3 3 16 −13 0
Source: [citation needed]
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) goal difference; 5) number of goals scored; 6) drawing of lots

Matches edit

9 September 2021 (2021-09-09) 1 Army Red 4–1 Assam Rifles Kolkata
15.00 IST
Stadium: Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan
Attendance: 0[a][Note *]
Man of the Match: Bikash Thapa (Army Red)
12 September 2021 (2021-09-12) 2 Assam Rifles 0–5 Hyderabad Kolkata
15.00 IST
Report
Stadium: Mohun Bagan Ground
Attendance: 0[a][Note *]
Man of the Match: Lalchungnunga Chhangte (Hyderabad FC)
12 September 2021 (2021-09-12) 3 Gokulam Kerala 2–2 Army Red Kalyani
15.00 IST
Report
Stadium: Kalyani Stadium
Attendance: 0[a][Note *]
Man of the Match: Christopher Kamei (Army Red)
16 September 2021 (2021-09-16) 4 Gokulam Kerala 1–0 Hyderabad Kalyani
15.00 IST
Report Stadium: Kalyani Stadium
Attendance: 0[a][Note *]
Man of the Match: Sharif Mukhammad (Gokulam Kerala FC)
19 September 2021 (2021-09-19) 5 Army Red 2–1 Hyderabad Kolkata
15.00 IST
Report
Stadium: Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan
Attendance: 0[a][Note *]
Man of the Match: Liton Shil (Army Red)
19 September 2021 (2021-09-19) 6 Assam Rifles 2–7 Gokulam Kerala Kalyani
15.00 IST
Report
Stadium: Kalyani Stadium
Attendance: 0[a][Note *]
Man of the Match: Chisom Chikatara (Gokulam Kerala)

Knockout stage edit

Bracket edit

 
QuarterfinalsSemifinalsFinal
 
          
 
 
 
 
Mohammedan1
 
 
 
Gokulam Kerala0
 
Mohammedan (a.e.t.)4
 
 
 
Bengaluru United2
 
Army Red-
 
 
 
Bengaluru United
(w.o.)
-
 
Mohammedan0
 
 
 
Goa (a.e.t.)1
 
Goa5
 
 
 
Delhi1
 
Goa (p)2(7)
 
 
 
Bengaluru2(6)
 
Bengaluru3
 
 
Army Green2
 

Quarter-finals edit

Team 1 Score Team 2
Mohammedan 1–0 Gokulam Kerala
Army Red w/o[b] Bengaluru United
Goa 5–1 Delhi
Bengaluru 3–2 Army Green

Semi-finals edit

Team 1 Score Team 2
Mohammedan 4–2
(a.e.t)
Bengaluru United
Goa 2–2
(7-6 pen.)
Bengaluru

Final edit

 
2021 Durand Cup Final
Mohammedan0–1 (a.e.t.)Goa
Report Bedia   105'

Statistics edit

Top scorers edit

As of 3 October 2021

Note: Only top goal scorers with 3 or more goals are mentioned.

Rank Player Club Goals
1   Devendra Murgaonkar Goa 5
  Marcus Joseph Mohammedan
3   Muhammed Nemil Goa 4
  Pedro Manzi Bengaluru United
  Willis Plaza Delhi
6   Azharuddin Mallick Mohammedan 3
  Chisom Chikatara Gokulam Kerala
  Deepak Singh Army Green
  Leon Augustine Bengaluru
  Liton Shil Army Red
  Rahim Osumanu Gokulam Kerala
  Sivasakthi Narayanan Bengaluru

Hatricks edit

Note: Player's team score mentioned first

Player Club Against Result Date
  Chisom Chikatara Gokulam Kerala Assam Rifles 7–2 19 September 2021

Most clean sheets edit

As of 3 October 2021
Rank Player Club Clean sheets
1   Kunzang Bhutia Bengaluru United 2
  Naveen Kumar Goa
2   Ajmal PA Gokulam Kerala 1
  Albino Gomes Kerala Blasters
  Hrithik Tiwari Goa
  Lalbiakhlua Jongte Hyderabad
  Lara Sharma Bengaluru
  Lovepreet Singh Delhi
  Roluahpuia Army Green
  Vishal Yadav Jamshedpur
  Zothanmawia Mohammedan

Season awards edit

Golden glove for best goalkeeper edit

Golden boot for top scorer edit

Golden ball for best player edit

See also edit

Notes edit

  1. ^
    Attendance: Due to the presumed emergence of third wave of COVID-19 outbreak, only 50% of attendance at most would be allowed in the stadiums by Government of West Bengal. But, the Durand Football Tournament Society decided to first allow negligible or no attendance, and then gradually towards the end of the tournament, allow up to 50% of attendance in compliance with government norms if everything went well.[18]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x Match was played behind closed doors.
  2. ^ Army Red withdrew from their Durand Cup quarter final fixture against FC Bengaluru United after reports of positive COVID-19 cases were discovered within the squad.[17]

References edit

  1. ^ "Comments on: Durand Cup 2021 set to be organised after a year's gap". khelnow.com. Archived from the original on 14 July 2021.
  2. ^ "On track to reclaim lost legacy, Durand Cup 2021 promises a grand football revival". Olympics.com. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  3. ^ "Durand Cup will be back after a one-year gap in 2021". 15 July 2021.
  4. ^ "Durand Cup: Marcus brace guides Gokulam Kerala to first title". sportstar.thehindu.com. 24 August 2019.
  5. ^ "Durand Cup 2019: Marcus Joseph brace downs Mohun Bagan, lands Gokulam Kerala title". www.goal.com.
  6. ^ "FC Goa clinch maiden Durand Cup trophy after beating Mohammedan Sporting 1-0 in final". ESPN. 3 October 2021. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  7. ^ "Bedia's spectacular finish helps FC Goa win its maiden Durand Cup". Sportstar. 3 October 2021. Archived from the original on 3 October 2021. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  8. ^ a b c d e "FC Goa and Bengaluru FC Among Five ISL Teams to Take Part in 2021 Durand Cup". News18. 23 August 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  9. ^ Sharma, Amitabha Das (4 September 2021). "Durand Cup 2021 preview: Defending champion Gokulam Kerala FC leads charge". Sportstar. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  10. ^ "Durand Cup 2021: Mohammedan SC Faces Indian Air Force in Opener with CM Mamata Banerjee in Attendance". News18. 4 September 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  11. ^ a b c "2021 Durand Cup to have five ISL and three I-league teams". The Times of India. 23 August 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  12. ^ a b c d e f "Durand Cup 2021: All You Need To Know". Khel Now. 25 August 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  13. ^ Durand Cup - Official Press Conference of the 130th Edition of the Durand Cup | Facebook, retrieved 4 September 2021
  14. ^ a b c "Durand Cup returns after Covid-19 break, Kolkata to host 16 teams in September". The Indian Express. 13 August 2021. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  15. ^ "Heist Complete as Edu Bedia's Curler Helps FC Goa Lift 130th Durand Cup with 1-0 Win over Mohammedan SC". News18. 4 October 2021. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  16. ^ "Durand Cup 2021:FC Bengaluru United beat Mohammedan SC 2-0 to finish top of Group A". www.news18.com. 14 September 2021.
  17. ^ Sportstar, Team (23 September 2021). "Durand Cup 2021: Army Red-FC Bengaluru United quarterfinal called off due to COVID-19 cases". www.sportstar.thehindu.com. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  18. ^ Sadhu, Rahul (2 September 2021). "Durand Cup to be held in Kolkata for next five years, 50 pc capacity on the cards for 2021 edition". www.indianexpress.com. Retrieved 4 September 2021.

External links edit