The ISL stars who lit up the Durand Cup
The Durand Cup that often kicks off the Indian football seasons is a platform for players to make an early-season statement
The 134th edition of the Durand Cup will feature six Indian Super League (ISL) clubs who will look to add this prestigious piece of silverware to their trophy cabinet.
Since 2021, the ISL clubs have been actively participating in the iconic century-old tournament with FC Goa, Bengaluru FC, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, and NorthEast United FC having emerged as the champions, making their presence felt in the Durand Cup.
From setting a goalscoring record to producing match-defining performances, ISL stars have added a new layer of excitement and quality to Asia's oldest football tournament. With that said, let’s delve into four remarkable performances by ISL players that have etched their names in Durand Cup history.
2021: Muhammed Nemil
Muhammed Nemil’s youthful spark caught the eyes in FC Goa’s Durand Cup-winning campaign in 2021. He emerged as a promising talent and was a constant threat in the final third, scoring goals and creating chances.
The attacking midfielder showcased his ability to edge out his marker and a knack for finding the back of the net as he scored four goals in six matches, including a brace against Jamshedpur FC.
2022: Lallianzuala Chhangte
Lallianzuala Chhangte scored seven goals in seven matches and eventually won the Golden Boot award. His consistency in finding the back of the net in crucial moments was a driving force behind Mumbai City FC’s strong run.
View this post on Instagram
The Islanders ended up as the runners-up of the Durand Cup 2022 as they suffered a narrow 1-2 defeat against Bengaluru FC in the final.
2023: Nandhakumar Sekar
Nandhakumar Sekar shone bright in the Durand Cup 2023 as he emerged as a match-winner for East Bengal FC in his debut season in the Red and Gold jersey. He scored two goals in six games, but these goals helped Carles Cuadrat’s men secure crucial wins.
Nandhakumar Sekar from @eastbengal_fc, received the Golden Ball trophy from the Director of Refineries IOCL, Ms Sukla Mistry, for his exceptional performance in the #132ndEditionofIndianOilDurandCup pic.twitter.com/BjCSfFMmtC
— Durand Cup (@thedurandcup) September 4, 2023
He scored a stunning curler in the high-stakes group stage Kolkata derby against arch-rivals Mohun Bagan Super Giant, helping East Bengal FC beat them for the first time in four years and his goal was widely celebrated by the fans. Later, he struck a last-gasp equaliser in the semis against NorthEast United FC, a match East Bengal FC went on to win in a penalty shootout to reach the final. Sekar went on to win the Golden Ball in the tournament.
2024: Noah Sadaoui
Noah Sadaoui showcased his goal-scoring prowess in his debut season with Kerala Blasters FC. He won the Golden Boot in 2024 with six goals, including two hat-tricks, against Mumbai City FC and CISF Protectors.
Congratulations to Noah on clinching the Golden Boot in the Durand Cup 2024!🏅🥾#KBFC #KeralaBlasters pic.twitter.com/ovJIJhrPjt
— Kerala Blasters FC (@KeralaBlasters) September 1, 2024
The Blasters netted 16 goals in the group stage more than any other team but saw their journey end in the quarter-final. However, Sadaoui’s dribbling skills, incisive passes and clinical finishing made him an influential figure for the Blasters’ in the tournament.
