ISL teams are taking Durand Cup very lightly – Mohammedan SC’s Marcus Joseph

Mohammedan SC striker Marcus Joseph feels the ISL teams are taking the Durand Cup 2022-23 very lightly. Most of the ISL has picked a second-string team for the oldest football tournament in the country. The Trinidad and Tobago International had impressed in the previous season of Durand Cup and the I-league.

Joseph scored five goals in six matches for Mohammedan SC in the previous season of the Durand Cup and finished as the leading goal-scorer in the tournament. Thus, he played a key role in taking the team to the final of the tournament but they couldn’t cross the final hurdle against FC Goa.

Similarly, Joseph finished as the highest goal-scorer in the I-league and once again played a huge role in taking his team to the final of the competition. He was the leading goalscorer in the division after scoring 16 goals during the campaign and was awarded the Golden Boot.

Marcus Joseph said while talking to News18, “All tournaments are the same and important to me because all the other teams are competing to win the Durand Cup. This time the Durand Cup is very important for us and it will help us to prepare ourselves for the coming I-League also. So, this time we are taking the Durand Cup very seriously.”

Meanwhile, Mohammedan SC made a perfect start to the tournament as they defeated previous season’s champions FC Goa by 3-1. The club has won both of its matches against ISL teams and has won all three games to qualify for the quarterfinals.

Joseph added, “I think for the ISL teams they are taking this tournament very lightly. But I think this tournament can be a good pre-season for them as well. So, it is better that they come to play the Durand Cup and give their best so that they can prepare themselves better for the coming ISL.”

The forward added that every game is important for the team and they want to make the most of it.

Joseph concluded, “Well for us every single match is important. And in the knockout stage it’s like a final in every game. So, we are thinking of one game at a time and preparing ourselves for the match day.”