Football: Three Indian Super League teams already through to 2025 Durand Cup quarter-finals
NorthEast, Jamshedpur and East Bengal qualify for knockouts
On Friday evening, Indian Super League outfit Jamshedpur became the latest team to book their spot in the knockout round of the ongoing 2025 Durand Cup by beating Ladakh FC 2-0 in their final Group C match at the JRD Tata Sports Complex.
Newly appointed head coach of the India national team, Khalid Jamil, made two changes to his starting lineup for the match, and an own goal from Ladakh, along with a second-half strike from Praful Kumar, secured the victory for the Men of Steel.
Earlier in the day, NorthEast United managed to overcome a spirited Shillong Lajong FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong, where Moroccan striker Alaaeddine Ajaraie bagged a brace to lead his side to a 2-1 victory and a place in the next round.
Ajaraie has been in scintillating form over the last year, now the leading scorer in this competition with five goals in just two matches, while he also ended as the golden boot winner in the Indian Super League last term with 23 goals and seven assists in 25 games.
The first team to lock in their quarter-final berth at the Durand Cup was East Bengal, who edged Namdhari FC 1-0 in Kolkata on Wednesday. The Red and Gold Brigade are guaranteed top spot in Group A and still have a game in hand, which you can keep up with using our football livescore tool.
Namdhari had won their first two games in the competition against the Indian Air Force and South United. They are currently in third place among the highest-ranked second-place teams with six points and a goal difference of +3.
Mohun Bagan, Punjab face crucial final fixtures this weekend
Of the five ISL clubs that entered the competition, only Mohun Bagan and Punjab remain yet to secure their places in the knockout round of the Durand Cup, with both scheduled to wrap up their group-stage clashes on Saturday, August 9.
As it stands, the ISL champions are in second place in Group B with six points in their two games and set to face group leaders Diamond Harbour in a straight shootout for qualification, where the winner will progress. A draw will see MBSG eliminated from the competition.
Punjab are also in second place in their group with four points, level with ITB Police, who they played to a goalless stalemate against this week. The Shers' final match is also on Saturday against Bodoland, who are still in the running to qualify for the quarter-final.
