FC Goa prepares to defend their title; launches 2022 Durand Cup campaign

The prestigious Durand Cup 2022 is almost here and major ISL teams are gearing up to battle among the best. At the top of the ladder is FC Goa, who are the defending champions and will fight to keep the title in their name. Recently, marking their dominant presence, FC Goa revealed their 26-member squad for the tournament.

Durand Cup 2022 will kick off on August 16, 2022.

Steering the FC Goa Durand Cup campaign this season, are Hrithik Tiwari, Muhammed Nemil, Phrangki Buam and Ayush Chhetri. They will take on Mohammedan Sporting Club in Kolkata on August 16, marking the opening match of the season.

Speaking ahead of the squad’s departure to Kolkata to defend their crown, Deggie Cardozo said, “Durand Cup is one of the most prestigious football tournaments in the country, and it’s a good opportunity for us to display our potential at the highest level in India. We have a young squad who are hungry, eager and ready to prove themselves."

The FC Goa squad for Durand Cup 2022: Hrithik Tiwari, Hansel Coelho, Bob Jackson, Delzan Passanha, Rayan Roger Menezes, Lesly Rebello (captain), Aditya Salgaonkar, Mallikjan Kalegar, Deeshank Kunkalikar, Salman Faris, Lalremruata HP, Velroy Fernandes, Delton Colaco, Malsawmtluanga, Davis Fernandes, Rayan Menezes, Anthony Fernandes, Ayush Chhetri, Muhammed Nemil, Shannon Viegas, Vasim Inamdar, Phrangki Buam, Mevan Dias, Jovial Dias, Salgeo Dias and Jordan Borges.

The FC Goa are in Group-A alongside Mohammedan SC, Bengaluru FC, Jamshedpur FC and Indian Air Force.

For the first time, the tournament will be played in more than one venue. Reportedly, a total of 47 matches will be played across Kolkata, Guwahati and Imphal, with 27 games in Kolkata, 10 each in Guwahati and Imphal.

The tournament is hosted by the Durand Football Tournament Society in cooperation with the Eastern Command of the Indian Armed Forces and the Government of West Bengal and supported by the Government of Assam and the Government of Manipur.

This is the first season of the tournament wherein every club in the top tier Indian Super League (ISL) has been mandated to participate, along with 5 selected clubs from the second division I-League, and the four teams representing the armed forces. The teams are divided into four groups, with 5 teams in each group.

Where to watch: Sports 18 on TATA play (channel 488), Airtel digital TV (Channel 293), Jio TV (Channel 292) and Sun Direct (Channel 505).

Bookings now open at bookmyshow.