Indian Army FT vs Samaleswari Sporting, Durand Cup, 2026, Today Match Prediction

Indian Army FT vs Samaleswari Sporting Match Prediction & Analysis

The final match of the day sees Indian Army FT take on tournament debutants Samaleswari Sporting in a Group B clash at Kolkata's Kishore Bharati Krirangan on 26 July at 7:30 PM IST. While the Army side are seasoned Durand Cup campaigners, Samaleswari Sporting will be making their first appearance in the prestigious competition. 

Mohammedan SC and fellow newcomers Baghpat FC complete the group, with only the group winners guaranteed a place in the knockout stage, while the two best runners-up across all groups will also progress.

Head-to-head Record: It will be the first meeting between the teams in any competition. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Indian Army FT Preview

Based at the ASC Centre in Bengaluru, the Indian Army FT is made up of players selected from regiments across the Indian Army. The side has also formed the backbone of the Services team that lifted the Santosh Trophy in 2024 and 2026.

Although Army teams have won the Durand Cup only twice since 2000, most recently in 2016, they have been consistent performers in recent editions, reaching the knockout stage in 2021, 2023 and 2024. 

Last year, they narrowly missed out after recording two wins in a group featuring ISL side Jamshedpur FC. With former ISL club Mohammedan SC and tournament debutants Samaleswari Sporting and Baghpat FC completing this year's group, the Army side will be confident of mounting another push for the knockout rounds.

Indian Army FT Probable Starting Lineup -

Vicky (GK); Pardeep Kumar, Harman Singh, Boinao Singh, Dilon Chettri (Defender); Abhi S Biju, Francis Zonuntluanga, Diganta Khaddar (Midfielder); Bikash Thapa, Shaik Muzeeb, Tondon Meitei (Forward)

Samaleswari Sporting Preview

Representing western Odisha, Samaleswari Sporting make their Durand Cup debut with hopes of announcing themselves on the national stage. Founded in 2006, the club has built its identity through the grassroots-driven Sambalpur Football Academy, which recently received a ₹15 crore infrastructure boost from the Odisha government. Their participation is another significant milestone in the academy's journey.

Coached by Sahit Suni Raan and captained by midfielder Salman Kalyan, Samaleswari Sporting currently compete in the I-League 3. While little is known about their squad, the club's best achievement came in 2012 when it reached the I-League Second Division. 

The Durand Cup now presents a valuable opportunity for the newcomers to test themselves against stronger opposition and make a lasting impression.

Samaleswari Sporting Probable Starting Lineup -

Samaleswari Probable Starting Lineup:  Miraj (GK); Prosenjit, Sanjoy, Sudip, Sujit (Defender); Sajan, Salman, Rashid (Midfielder); Riswan, Sudip, Riki (Forward)

INDIAN ARMY FT vs SAMALESWARI SPORTING
Winning Prediction

This is one of the trickiest matches to predict, largely because so little is known about Samaleswari Sporting. For Indian Army FT, however, it is a game they cannot afford to slip up in, especially with a tougher test against Mohammedan SC still to come. Their experience in the competition should prove decisive, making the Army side slight favourites to open their campaign with a victory.

Indian Army to win (2-1).

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