The teams for the 132nd Durand Cup soccer event, set to be performed between August 03-September 03, 2023, within the cities of Kolkata, Guwahati and Kokrajhar, have been introduced on Monday.
Defending champion Bengaluru FC has been clubbed in Group C with two common Kerala sides – Kerala Blasters and 2019 champion Gokulam Kerala, with the matches to be held in Kolkata. The Indian Air Force is the fourth aspect within the group.
The groups have been clubbed into six teams of 4 groups every, with three (A, B and C) of them, being performed in Kolkata, which would be the solely host metropolis with a number of venues.
Defending champion Bengaluru FC has been clubbed in Group C.
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Special Arrangement
The metropolis may even host the ultimate on the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) on September 03, 2023. While a lot of the Group D and Group E video games, barring two, have been slotted in Guwahati’s Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium. Kokrajhar’s SAI centre floor, the latest host metropolis venue, will host a complete of 9 video games, together with one of many 4 quarter-final video games.
Six group winners and the 2 greatest second-placed sides will make the knockout stage. In the 131st version, Indian talisman Sunil Chhetri led Bengaluru FC to win its maiden Durand Cup crown, defeating Mumbai City FC 2-1 within the remaining, performed on the VYBK.
Among essentially the most thrilling group matches to be performed in Kolkata, the well-known Kolkata derby between reigning and four-time Indian Super League (ISL) champion Mohun Bagan Super Giant and arch-rival East Bengal, will definitely be essentially the most eagerly awaited, given each discover themselves in Group A. RoundGlass Punjab FC, the primary ever aspect to be promoted to the ISL and the Bangladesh Army Team are the opposite two sides within the group.
The different native large, Mohammedan Sporting, is in Group B alongside ISL sides Mumbai City FC and Jamshedpur FC. The Indian Navy is the fourth staff in Group B.
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Guwahati native ISL aspect North East United FC additionally performs at dwelling in Group D alongside twice ISL runner-up FC Goa, whereas one other common aspect from the North-East, Shillong Lajong FC, will make its Durand Cup debut and will a shock entry staff full the group.
Group E options two ISL sides, Hyderabad FC and Chennaiyin FC, grouped with Delhi FC, which has been newly promoted to the second division I-League this 12 months and the service staff of Nepal, Tribhuvan Army Football Club.
Group F, to be performed in Kokrajhar, options the native Bodoland Team, additionally making a debut within the event this 12 months, rubbing shoulders in opposition to the likes of Super Cup champion Odisha FC and I-League aspect Rajasthan United FC. The Indian Army staff completes Group F.
The 132nd Durand Cup additionally sees a return of international participation after a spot of 27 years, and whereas the Bangladesh Service staff has been positioned in Group A, the second international staff is positioned in Group E.
A complete of 43 matches, together with the ultimate, are scheduled, with two of the 4 quarterfinals going down in Guwahati and Kokrajhar, whereas the remainder of the knockouts will happen in Kolkata.
Source: sportstar.thehindu.com