On Sunday, Serbian midfielder Nikola Stojanovic scored for Inter Kashi in the first half, while Ashley Alban Koli's stunning free kick levelled the scores for Mohammedan SC.
The 133rd Durand Cup is set to kick off the 2024-25 football season on July 27 in Kolkata, with defending champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant facing Downtown Heroes FC.
Gokulam Kerala FC has signed Serbian midfielder Nikola Stojenovic on Tuesday. The Kerala-based club signed the player from I-League side Mohammedan SC, who was a former captain of them.
The Highlanders put up a dominant display in the second half to secure a comeback win. Goals from Ibson Melo, Romain Philippoteaux and Parthib Gogoi helped the Highlanders become the second team to progress from Group D.
The ISL winners Mumbai City FC kick-started the new season from where they left off in the previous season, and their head coach, Des Buckingham, fielded a strong lineup against the Black Panthers, who troubled them significantly in the last Durand Cup.
Mumbai City FC will look to start the tournament with a bang after strengthening their squad in the summer transfer despite some notable departures in their squad.
On an evening when they went in as favourites, Mohammedan Sporting head coach Kibu Vicuna picked a starting XI devoid of a specialist striker -- the unavailability of Abiola Dauda forcing his hand.
Mondal will face competition from Tondonba Singh and Gurjinder Kumar for the left-back position at NorthEast United FC. The Highlanders will hope that Mondal's addition will help them tighten up their defence as they look to end their season on a high.