It’s a big day for Hero Indian Super League (ISL) clubs in the Durand Cup as four teams will be in action on Friday as the tournament enters a crucial stage of the group phase.

The Friday double-header will have two contrasting games in Imphal and Kolkata respectively. While the Group C Hyderabad FC-Chennayin FC game at the Khuman Lampak Stadium in Imphal, will showcase the very top echelons of Indian football at their full strength, the FC Goa-Jamshedpur FC Group A game at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) in Kolkata, will give us a sneak-peak into its future stars.

A clash of the Titans

The first Matchday 11 game features present reigning Hero ISL champions Hyderabad FC and two-time Hero ISL winners Chennayin FC with both teams at full strength.

Manuel Marquez-coached HFC looked in total control of their first game against local favourites TRAU FC with their Spanish midfielder Borja Herrera controlling and distributing with elan.

The goals by Herrera and by Halicharan Narzary reflected the quality in their side and it would be fair to say that they were not pushed in that game, so that is one aspect that Marquez will be wary of against Chennayin FC as he will also be with the overall finishing of the side.

Chennayin FC also displayed the same quality with Edwin Vanspaul scoring a beautiful goal but Chennaiyin FC were guilty of missing big chances in the game against Army Red which finished 2-2., So German gaffer Thomas Brdaric will be hoping to tighten up those aspects.

A win is key for both teams, particularly to Chennayin FC, given the way the group is placed and there are no easy games in this group, so a highly competitive game can be expected.

Chennaiyin FC’s match against Hyderabad FC is scheduled for 3 PM IST and will be shown live on Sports18, Sports18 HD and will be streamed live on Voot Select.

Battle of the young Turks

The evening Group A game pits FC Goa against Jamshedpur FC (JFC) and both have brought along relatively younger sides with talents like Muhammed Nemil and Vinil Poojary on either side, to name a few.

Goa have picked up a win in their previous game against the Air Force and will be buoyed by that while the Red Miners from Jamshedpur are still searching for one after having two tough outings against Bengaluru FC and Mohammedan FC. They will look at this as a chance to register a win.

With both sides young and eager, it promises to be a competitive fixture at the VYBK.

FC Goa’s match against Jamshedpur FC is scheduled for 6 PM IST and will be shown live on Sports18, Sports18 HD and will be streamed live on Voot Select.

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Hyderabad FCJamshedpur FCFC GoaChennaiyin FC Press Releases