Durand Cup 2025: Mohun Bagan’s Apuia was released to play against Diamond Harbor; Dippendu suspended

Mohun Bagan Super Giant received an important boost with the return of midfielder Lalengmawia ‘Apuia’ Ralte for his Durand Cup match against Diamond Harbor FC in the Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday.

Apuia, who was suspended after receiving a red card in the opening match of the team against Mohammedan SC, completed his ban on one match. However, the timing of the decision has received criticism from Mohun Bagan coach Jose Molina.

«Apuia picked up the card a week ago and she informed us about his availability only a day prior to the competition. It influences our plans. I can’t wrap my head around it,» said Molina in a press conference prior to the DHFC match.

While the Apuia team is recovering, it is without Center-back dippendu Biswas, which serves a ban for collecting two yellow cards in the same number of matches.

Molina also confirmed that the new team of the new foreign players of the team – including Dimitri Petratos, Jamie McLaren and Alberto Rodriguez – will not be available for the game.

He stated that although the players are physically ready, he does not want to hurry and risk potential injuries. «They are all ready to play 90 minutes tomorrow. If we ask them to play, they will play, but the question is at what level. We don’t want to force them and risk injuries,» he explained.