The squad features a blend of senior team members and promising reserves, including notable players such as Vincy Barretto, Bikash Yumnam, Irfan Yadwad, Samik Mitra, Alexander Romario Jesuraj, and Sachu Siby. This mix of experience and youth is reflected in the roster, which comprises three goalkeepers, eight defenders, nine midfielders, and two forwards, ensuring a well-balanced team across all positions.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt's a very good team because it's a mixture of senior team players from the ISL team and also the reserve team players and also the players who have been shortlisted who have got an opportunity to come and represent Chennaiyin FC in the Durand Cup,\u201d said assistant coach Noel Wilson, who joined Owen Coyle\u2019s coaching staff ahead of the new season.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Chennaiyin FC have been drawn alongside Indian Super League (ISL) side Jamshedpur FC, as well as the armed forces\u2019 Indian Army and Assam Rifles in Group D of the Durand Cup 2024. All six games of the group stage will take place at the JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur, following which the group winners and, possibly, the second-placed team, will advance to the knockout stage.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Marina Machans will take on Jamshedpur FC on August 4 after their first match in the tournament and they will conclude their group stage run against Assam Rifles on August 11.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Chennaiyin previously reached the quarter-finals of the Durand Cup in 2022 and 2023, and are looking to better their past performances this time around, as per assistant coach Wilson, \u201cWe are going there to win games. We are not going there to take part. As a team, we are going to be together, on the field, off the field. There's going to be unity. We are going to go on the field and fight and give our 100 percent.\"<\/p>\r\n\r\n
First played 136 years ago, the Durand Cup is the oldest existing football club contest in Asia and the fifth-oldest in the world, adding to its alluring appeal. Hosted by the Durand Football Tournament Society and the All India Football Federation, the cup has traditionally been the curtain-raiser for the Indian domestic football season.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The 133rd edition of the tournament, being played in 2024, is the third under the Asian Football Confederation umbrella. Presently, 24 teams participate in the competition: all 14 from the Indian Super League, plus invitees from the I-League, state leagues, armed forces, and foreign armed forces.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Chennaiyin FC Squad For Durand Cup 2024<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Goalkeepers: Mohanraj K, Samik Mitra, Malhar Umesh Mohol<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Defenders: Niketh N, Bikash Yumnam, Alexander Romario Jesuraj, Rojjak Ali SK, YV Praful Kumar, Aby S, Shanu Stellus, Sachu Siby<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Goalkeepers: Mohanraj K, Samik Mitra, Malhar Umesh Mohol<\/p>\r\n\r\n