The quarter-final match of the 2024 Durand Cup between Bengaluru FC (BFC) and Kerala Blasters FC (KBFC) is generating a lot of excitement as two of the footballing titans in India clash in an expected match. The match will occur today, August 23, at 7:00 PM IST in front of the famous Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan stadium located in Kolkata. This battle that is about to happen has captured the attention of lovers from all regions of the nation since it has the potential to influence how this tournament would turn out.
Preview
Bengaluru FC won't lose as they go into the knockout stage, having finished first in Group B with a flawless nine points. The Blues began their season with a convincing 3-0 victory against Inter Kashi, then went on to win by a tight margin against Mohammedan SC and by a wide margin against Indian Navy FT.
Bengaluru has demonstrated a strong offensive and strong defensive structure, giving up just two goals throughout the group stage, despite a few defensive mistakes against Mohammedan SC. In contrast, Kerala Blasters FC has scored 16 goals in their three group-stage games, making them one of the tournament's most prolific sides.
They started the season with a commanding 3-0 triumph against Mumbai City FC and then drew 1-1 with Punjab FC. But their 7-0 thumping of the CISF Protectors in their last group-stage encounter was what really showed off their attacking strength. Kerala Blasters would be keen to keep up this momentum against their formidable opponents after such an impressive offensive performance.
In many ways, both teams are equal, although Kerala Blasters mainly depend on their explosive offensive tandem of Noah Sadaoui and Kwame Peprah, who have combined for ten goals. While this is going on, Bengaluru FC will be counting on Jorge Pereyra Diaz, their recent addition, who has already scored three goals in the competition.
Head coach of Bengaluru FC Gerard Zaragoza recognised the importance of this match, stressing the rivalry that has existed between the two clubs for a long time as well as the difficulty of playing a Kerala squad that is playing well. In order to move on to the semifinals, Zaragoza stressed that his squad must perform at its highest level.
Bengaluru FC has a marginal advantage against Kerala in head-to-head matches historically, having won 10 of the 18 games in all competitions. But given how well both teams have played in the Durand Cup, this quarterfinal should be a close-fought and exciting game.
Head-to-Head Record
The history between Bengaluru FC and Kerala Blasters FC has always been intense, with both teams delivering memorable performances over the years. Here's a look at their head-to-head record:
Total Matches Played: 16
Bengaluru FC Wins: 9
Kerala Blasters Wins: 4
Draws: 3
While Bengaluru FC has dominated this fixture historically, with nine victories, Kerala Blasters have also had their moments of glory, winning four encounters. The draw of three matches shows the competitive nature of these clashes. This head-to-head record adds an extra layer of intrigue to their Durand Cup quarter-final meeting, making it a must-watch for football enthusiasts.
Key Players to Watch:
For Bengaluru FC, the spotlight will be on Sunil Chhetri, who has been the heart and soul of the team. His leadership and goal-scoring prowess could prove crucial in this knockout clash.
Kerala Blasters FC will rely on the dynamic abilities of Adrian Luna, whose creativity and vision could be the key to unlocking Bengaluru's defense.
Broadcast and Streaming Details
For those unable to attend the match in person, there are several options to catch the action live:
TV: The match will be broadcast live on Sony TEN 2 SD and Sony TEN 2 HD in India.
Streaming: Fans can also stream the match live via the SonyLiv app and website, ensuring that they don't miss a moment of the excitement.
