Every season begins from zero, says Parthib as NEUFC chase third straight Durand Cup title

Defending champions NorthEast United FC have set their sights on a third consecutive Durand Cup title, with forward Parthib Gogoi insisting that back-to-back triumphs in 2024 and 2025 have only strengthened the team’s hunger for more success.

Speaking during the Durand Cup Trophy Tour in Guwahati on Thursday, Parthib said the Highlanders would treat the new campaign as a fresh challenge despite entering the tournament as strong title contenders.

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“Winning the Durand Cup taught us that success comes through resilience, hard work and belief. As defending champions, we know every season begins from zero, and we’re excited to return to Guwahati, where the incredible support of our fans gives us the strength to keep striving for greater success,” he told reporters here.

The Trophy Tour marked the arrival of the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup in Guwahati, which will host the tournament for the fifth consecutive year. The iconic Durand Cup, President’s Cup and Simla Trophy were unveiled by a host of dignitaries, led by state sports minister Biswajit Daimary before beginning a two-day tour of the city.

Along with Daimary, the ceremony was graced by Special Sports Secretary Kausar Jamil Hilaly, Major General Dinesh Kumar Singh, Vice Chairman of the Durand Cup Organising Committee, Major General Amit Dhir, Brigadier Anupam Sharma, Sports and Youth Welfare Director Ankur Bharali.

Reiterating the state’s commitment to football, Daimary said hosting the Durand Cup was not only a matter of pride but also an opportunity to strengthen grassroots development across Assam.

“Football is deeply rooted in Assam’s sporting culture, and hosting the Durand Cup is both a matter of pride and an opportunity to inspire the next generation. We must move beyond simply identifying talent to creating it through structured grassroots development, quality infrastructure and sustained institutional commitment,” he said.

Major General Dinesh Kumar Singh described the Durand Cup as a platform that continues to inspire aspiring footballers across the country.

“The Durand Cup is not just about competition; it is about inspiring young footballers across the North-East and strengthening India’s football ecosystem. Together with the Government of Assam and our partners, we remain committed to taking the game to every aspiring player, creating opportunities for local talent and nurturing the dream of seeing India compete on football’s biggest stage,” he said.

Guwahati will host all six Group F matches featuring NorthEast United FC, Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC, Bodoland FC and FC 1, with three clubs from Assam underlining the state’s growing influence in Indian football.

The 135th Durand Cup will be held from July 25 to August 23 across Kolkata, Shillong, Imphal, Guwahati and Ranchi. The tournament will feature 24 teams, including a side from the Sri Lankan Armed Forces, with the opening match set to be the Kolkata Derby between Mohun Bagan Super Giant and East Bengal FC on July 25. The final will also be played in Kolkata on August 23.