Durand Cup 2023: Delhi FC will look to go one better against Tribhuvan Army; Gokulam Kerala face Air Force

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Three more teams take the field for the first time in this 132nd IndianOil Durand Cup 2023 edition on Wednesday (August 09). Delhi FC play their second Group E game at Kokrajhar's SAI stadium against Nepal's Tribhuvan Army FC in the first game of the day.

Gokulam Kerala FC and the Indian Air Force Football Team (IAFFT) clash in their first Group C game respectively at Kolkata's Kishore Bharati Krirangan. The Kokrajhar match kicks-off at 2.30pm Indian Standard Time (IST) while the following Group C game in Kolkata is scheduled for a 4.45pm IST kick-off.

Delhi FC earned a draw against Hyderabad FC in their first game and will look to go one better against Nepal's Tribhuvan Army FC, if they have to harbor hopes of progressing into the knockout stages of the tournament. Himanshu Jangra scored for them upfront and it is always good to have your forwards in scoring form early in the tournament.

Coach Surinder Singh reflected the same sentiment in a pre-match chat saying, "We have eye on securing three points from tomorrow's game. Last match our team really played well but the result was not in our favour. We have worked on the areas we are lacking in. We will get good result in tomorrow's game."

Also chipping in was their owner Ranjit Bajaj saying, "We play for our country. Our shirt in the front says "Saluting the Indian armed forces". Especially when playing the Nepal Army Team it's going to be like representing your country. We take it very seriously."

Tribhuvan Army FC, led by their mercurial striker Nawayug Shrestha, who has 36 goals for his club and country over the years and given they are a settled top professional side, Delhi will not find it easy to pull off a win.

Nawayug also shared his feelings before the crucial first game saying, "It's our honour to participate in Durand Cup. One of the most prestigious tournaments in Asia. I would like to thank the Indian Army for giving us this opportunity to play in this tournament. We want to give our best against Delhi FC in tomorrow's match."

Durand Cup 2023: Gokulam up against the Indian Air Force

Following the Kokrajhar game, 2019 champions Gokulam Kerala FC take on the Indian Air Force Football Team (IAFFT) at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata. The Malabarians will also look to get their campaign off to a positive start, given it's a tough group with Kerala Blasters, whom they play next in the Kerala Derby and defending champions Bengaluru FC, are also in this Group C.

The Indian Air Force on other hand can be hard to break down, especially in the early-stages of the tournament and have quite a few players who have been part of the national circuit for long.

Master Warrant Officer Priya Darshan, coach of the IAFFT said ahead of the game, "It is an important game for us and we will definitely try to grab three points. Our attacking style of play will be key to victory for us. We have a squad of experienced and young players with the mindset of winning by exhibiting skills and fitness."

Among those experienced players will be Arashpreet Singh, who won the I-League with Minerva Punjab and also keeper Shibinraj in goal. Prabhjot in midfield is also someone who inspires the whole team.

For Gokulam, a lot will rest on how their midfield links up with their forward line. The talented Arjun Jayaraj and Shilton Da Silva along with Spaniard Francisco Borges form the bulwark of that midfield who will look to supply the likes of Naro Hari Shrestha and Noufal P.N upfront among others.

One gets the feeling that whoever wins this game, will be the more confident in the group going forward.