BAGAN FIRM FAVOURITES VS GOKULAM

Kolkata: Heavyweights Mohun Bagan will be overwhelming favourites to clinch a record 17th title in the 129th Durand Cup football tournament when they face a resurgent Gokulam Kerala FC at the Saltlake Stadium here on Saturday. The Mariners last won the Asia’s oldest tournament way back in 2000, defeating Mahindra United 2-1 by a golden goal after extra time, and they would look to end their prolong wait, spanning close to two decades. This time too their journey has been tough as the Kibu Vicunacoached side overcame a gritty Real Kashmir 3-1 in the extra time to make their first final since 2009. Gokulam too had to sweat it out in the other semifinal to get past a 10-man East Bengal 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 stalemate in the extra time. History will also beckon the Kerala outfit as they have been 22 years since a club from the state won the third oldest tournament of the world. FC Kochin were the previous and the only Kerala club that won the trophy before. But come Saturday, the local giants will start as favourites while the Kerala side will have to deal with the hostile conditions. Bagan coach Vicuna, however, disagreed that his side would start as favourites. “It will be an open match. I don’t think we are favourites. Both teams have same possibility to win. Both teams are equally good,” Vicuna said. A title in his first tournament after joining Mohun Bagan will be special for Vicuna who has brought in a Spanish flavour to the side.