Guwahati: Defending Durand Cup champions, NorthEast United Football Club (NEUFC), are poised to kick off their Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season with a highly anticipated clash against the newly-promoted Mohammedan SC. The match is scheduled to take place at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Monday, September 16, 2024, at 7:30 pm.

Mohammedan SC earned their spot in the ISL by clinching the I-League 2023-24 title, marking a significant milestone in their club’s history. In contrast, the Highlanders of NEUFC concluded their previous ISL season in seventh place, narrowly missing the playoffs.

### DURAND CUP WIN IS HISTORY

Having recently secured their first major trophy by winning the Durand Cup, NEUFC are eager to shift focus towards achieving success in the upcoming ISL season. Head coach Juan Pedro Benali emphasizes the need to move past the Durand Cup victory and concentrate on future challenges.

“The feeling of winning the Durand Cup was exceptional, but it’s a moment that lasts only 24 hours. We cannot dwell on it if we aspire to progress. It’s great for the records and statistics, but our priority must be the next game,” Benali stated.

“We have a distinct mentality. We treat every game as a final. Facing a strong team with a skilled coach, in an impressive stadium filled with passionate fans, we must approach with intelligence, composure, and calm,” he added.

### KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH

Both NEUFC and Mohammedan SC boast promising Indian talents in their squads. For NEUFC, Parthib Gogoi emerged as a breakout star in ISL 2023-24, netting five goals and providing four assists across 17 league appearances. With a notable goal conversion rate of 26.32% and 39 touches inside the opposition box, Gogoi is set to enhance his performance this season.

On the other hand, Mohammedan SC will rely heavily on former Hyderabad FC standout Makan Chothe. Chothe has achieved a remarkable dribble success rate of 60% (21 out of 35 attempts) since early 2024, the highest among Indian players attempting more than 20 dribbles and the third highest overall, behind Carlos Martinez (63%) and Alberto Noguera (61.5%).

Coach Benali is optimistic about the potential of young Indian players in ISL 2024-25. “There is exceptional quality among Indian players in the ISL. Our collective goal should be to help them aim higher continuously. The sky’s the limit, and they must keep progressing,” he remarked.

### EMBRACING THE ISL EXPERIENCE

Mohammedan SC’s head coach, Andrey Chernyshov, is mindful of managing expectations as his team steps into the competitive landscape of the ISL for the first time. His primary focus is on building a resilient team and absorbing the league’s rich experience.

“First, we need to forge a strong team for the ISL. We recognize the toughness of this competition. We will be facing numerous talented Indian and foreign players,” Chernyshov explained.

“Our goal is to soak in the ISL atmosphere and experience, to fight valiantly in every match, and to display quality football that excites our fans. This motivation drives us to excel in every game,” he added.

As both teams prepare for this pivotal opening match, fans can anticipate a thrilling contest that sets the tone for what promises to be an exciting ISL season.