Mohun Bagan Super Giant FC beat FC Goa 2-1 in a hotly-contested Durand Cup 2023 semi-final match at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Thursday to set up a Kolkata Derby final.
Former champions FC Goa face home-side Mohun Bagan Super Giant, in what promises to be a thrilling second semi-final here at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan
Led by head coach Manolo Marquez, FC Goa booked their spot in the last four of the competition by emerging victorious over Chennaiyin FC in the quarter-finals on Saturday.
FC Goa beat Chennaiyin FC 4-1 in the quarter-finals of the Durand Cup 2023 at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati. Chennaiyin FC will next be in action when the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 season kicks off.
Both Chennaiyin FC coach Owen Coyle and the FC Goa coach Manolo Marquez are in the midst of establishing new squads and formations but have still managed to showcase attractive and effective football in the tournament.
Vazquez joined the Gaurs on a two-year deal last season from Kerala Blasters FC. He played a crucial role for the Blasters during his first season in Indian Football, which saw his team reach the ISL final in the 2021-22 season.
Goals by Muhammed Nemil, Carlos Martinez and Devendra Murgaokar helped the Men in Orange wrap up their Durand Cup group stage campaign with a win on Wednesday.
The Red & Golds not only registered a hard-fought win in the first Kolkata Derby of the season, but also emerged winners in the derby for the first time since 2019.
In a pulsating encounter that kept fans on the edge of their seats, FC Goa held NorthEast United FC to a thrilling 2-2 draw at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in the Durand Cup on Saturday.