Jamshedpur FC Set to Face Diamond Harbour FC in Durand Cup Quarterfinal Showdown
Exciting Quarterfinal Matchup in Jamshedpur
Jamshedpur (Jharkhand) [India], August 17: The knockout phase of the Durand Cup is shifting to Jamshedpur, where the local team, Jamshedpur FC, will take on newcomers Diamond Harbour FC in the third quarterfinal match scheduled for Sunday at the JRD Tata Sports Complex, as announced by the Durand Cup officials.
Jamshedpur FC secured their spot in the quarterfinals by topping Group C, while Diamond Harbour FC advanced as one of the best second-placed teams.
With interim head coach Steven Dias at the helm, following Khalid Jamil's promotion to the national team, Jamshedpur is not only tactically prepared but also highly motivated. Dias praises the smooth transition and credits the enthusiastic home crowd for boosting the team's spirit.
Coach Dias emphasized the team's strategy, stating, “Tomorrow we will face Diamond Harbour FC for the first time, and we recognize their strength, having gone unbeaten in their last 23 matches. We need to remain cautious and focused. My players are ready; we have trained thoroughly for this challenge. Playing at home is always special, and I urge all our fans to come out and support us. We will give our all to win this match and secure our place in the next round.”
Jamshedpur enters this match following a perfect group stage performance, which included a 3-2 victory over Tribhuvan Army FC, a 1-0 win against the Indian Army Football Team, and a 2-0 triumph over 1 Ladakh FC. In contrast, Diamond Harbour FC began their group stage with a 2-1 win over Kolkata's Mohammedan SC, followed by an impressive 8-1 victory against the Border Security Force, but faced a setback with a 1-5 loss to Mohun Bagan Super Giant. Ultimately, a goal difference of +4 allowed the debutants to secure their place in this knockout round.
Diamond Harbour has been a standout team this season, arriving at the Durand Cup with an impressive unbeaten streak of 23 matches across various competitions.
Their head coach, Kibu Vicuna, expressed confidence ahead of the match, saying, “Although we didn’t achieve the desired outcome in our last game, that’s part of football. What’s crucial is that we learn from our mistakes, maintain focus, and concentrate fully on the next match. We understand that facing JFC will be a tough challenge, as they are an ISL team with quality players. However, we are determined to ensure our journey doesn’t end in the quarter-finals. The boys have trained hard and are well-prepared, and we will give everything to achieve the result we desire tomorrow.”
For Jamshedpur FC, the challenge lies in maintaining their winning streak while finding ways to penetrate a resilient Diamond Harbour side. They will rely on their home advantage, tactical discipline, and the support of their fans, but they are aware that they cannot underestimate a Diamond Harbour team that has demonstrated remarkable courage and ambition on the big stage.
Jamshedpur FC will depend on their well-rounded Indian squad, featuring experienced captain Pronay Haldar and Ashutosh Mehta, alongside promising talents like Praful Kumar Y.V, Vincy Baretto, Nikhil Barla, Ritwik Das, and Mohammad Sanan. With Japanese forward Rei Tachikawa also joining the lineup, they aim to secure a victory in front of their home crowd and advance to the semi-finals.
Diamond Harbour's starting striker Clayton Silva is uncertain for this crucial match due to injury, but they have a capable replacement in the seasoned Luka Majcen, who has netted four goals in the tournament. He will be supported by Jobby Justin and Girik Khosla, along with experienced players Halicharan Narzary and Naro Hari Shrestha, who can step in as needed.
The defense, led by Spaniard Mikel Kortazar and Melroy Assisi, is prepared to face Jamshedpur's set-piece-heavy attack. This match promises to be a fierce contest, pitting Jamshedpur's strength against the relentless spirit of Diamond Harbour, with a coveted semi-final spot at stake.