Mohun Bagan, Jamshedpur, Shillong Lajong and NorthEast United Battle for Durand Cup Semifinal Spots

The 135th IndianOil Durand Cup enters another decisive stage on Monday as four teams battle for the remaining semifinal places in two contrasting quarterfinals. 

In Kolkata, Mohun Bagan Super Giant will face Jamshedpur FC at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, while defending champions NorthEast United FC travel to Shillong to face Shillong Lajong FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

Mohun Bagan and Jamshedpur will kick off at 4 PM IST, followed by Shillong Lajong and NorthEast United at 7 PM IST. Both matches will be broadcast live on the Sony Sports Network and streamed on SonyLIV. The two fixtures bring together teams with different paths to the knockout stage. Mohun Bagan and NorthEast United were perfect in their respective groups, while Jamshedpur and Shillong Lajong advanced after strong campaigns that demonstrated their ability to compete against challenging opposition.

Mohun Bagan have been one of the most impressive teams in the competition so far, winning all three of their Group A matches without conceding a single goal. Their defensive solidity has provided the foundation for an attack that has also produced plenty of goals.

Captain Subhasish Bose brings leadership to the backline, while Mehtab Singh and Alberto Rodríguez add experience in defence. Goalkeeper Vishal Kaith has been particularly important to a unit that remains unbeaten and yet to concede in the tournament. At the other end, Mohun Bagan possess considerable attacking depth.

Manvir Singh and Sahal Abdul Samad have each scored four goals, making them two of the team's biggest attacking threats. Anirudh Thapa, Liston Colaco and Dejan Dražić provide additional options and allow the Mariners to alter their attacking approach without sacrificing intensity. That depth could prove crucial in a knockout match where one moment can decide the outcome.

Jamshedpur FC, however, will not be intimidated by Mohun Bagan's record. The Men of Steel finished second in Group C with six points from two victories and advanced as one of the best second-placed teams. Their +10 goal difference underlines the quality of their attacking performances during the group stage.

Pronay Halder provides experience and composure in midfield, while Raynier Fernandes has emerged as one of Jamshedpur's most consistent attacking contributors. Aman CK adds creativity from the flank, while 17-year-old Lawmsangzuala has emerged as one of the tournament's exciting young players after scoring a hat-trick against the Indian Air Force.

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The quarterfinal will also be a historic first in the Durand Cup, with Mohun Bagan and Jamshedpur having never previously faced each other in the competition. For Jamshedpur, the challenge will be to survive Mohun Bagan's pressure while making the most of their opportunities in transition.

The second quarterfinal in Shillong promises a completely different contest, with Shillong Lajong FC taking on defending champions NorthEast United FC. The two sides are familiar with each other, having met four times previously in the Durand Cup. NorthEast United have won all four encounters, including two victories against Lajong during last year's competition.

The Highlanders won 2-1 in the group stage before securing a 1-0 semifinal victory. Lajong coach Birendra Thapa knows exactly what awaits his team but believes his players are prepared to take the game to the champions.

Lajong topped Group E with seven points, winning two matches and drawing one. Their campaign included victories over Nongkseh SS&CC and Mumbay FC before a dramatic 3-3 draw against Langsning FC secured top spot. However, they will have to deal with a major setback.

Everbrightson Sana, who has scored four goals in the tournament, is suspended after accumulating two yellow cards. His absence removes one of Lajong's most productive attacking outlets. That will place greater responsibility on Jota, who scored twice in the 3-3 draw with Langsning, while Tremiki Lamurong and Phrangki Buam will also be expected to contribute in attack.

Captain Kenstar Kharshong will be central to Lajong's defensive organisation, supported by Joedson Dos Santos and Arthur Pangaro.

NorthEast United enter the quarterfinal with a perfect record and the confidence of defending champions. The Highlanders won all three Group F matches and scored 13 goals while conceding only two. The biggest threat remains Moroccan forward Alaaeddine Ajaraie, who leads the tournament's scoring charts with six goals.

Ajaraie scored a hat-trick against Bodoland FC and added two more against Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC before finding the net again in NorthEast United's final group fixture against FC1. Parthib Gogoi, Jithin MS, Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia and Redeem Tlang provide further attacking options, while Antonio Moyano offers control and creativity in midfield.

NorthEast's depth has also been demonstrated by their ability to rotate without compromising results. Head coach Juan Pedro Benali made 10 changes to his starting XI against FC1, yet the Highlanders still won 3-1. That squad depth could become decisive as the competition moves into the knockout phase.

Benali, however, is expecting a difficult evening in Shillong, particularly because Lajong will have home support behind them.

The Kolkata quarterfinal pits a defensively flawless Mohun Bagan against a Jamshedpur side capable of producing attacking fireworks. In Shillong, Lajong will attempt to end NorthEast United's perfect Durand Cup record against them and overturn the champions' recent dominance in the fixture. The absence of Sana makes Lajong's task more difficult, while NorthEast United will rely heavily on Ajaraie's remarkable scoring form.

With semifinal places at stake, Monday's two matches could provide very different tactical battles but both carry the same prize.

A place in the last four of the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup.