Mohammedan Sporting will bank on crowd support when they face FC Bengaluru United in the first semi-final of the Durand Cup at the Salt Lake Stadium on Monday. In the two sides’ earlier clash in the tournament, Bengaluru United had defeated Mohammedan Sporting 2-0.

Mohammedan Sporting will be all charged up after knocking out defending champions Gokulam Kerala in the quarters and now with crowd support on their side, it won’t be easy for Bengaluru United, who have played well under coach Richard Hood.

Bengaluru United are so far undefeated in this year’s Durand Cup, having got a bye in the quarter finals after topping Group A.

Mohammedan Sporting will pin their hopes on star forwards Marcus Joseph and Azharuddin Mallick who have been phenomenal in this tournament.

“We are happy that we will play in the presence of fans, they are very important to us. We want to please them with a good result. We are looking forward to a tense and interesting game,” Mohammedan Sporting head coach Andrey Chernyshov said.

Kick-off: 6pm