Defending champion Mohun Bagan Tremendous Large will lead the problem as 24 groups brace themselves to win the 133rd version of Durand Cup, the primary competitors of Indian soccer’s new season.
Mohun Bagan SG, which can be the holder of the Indian Tremendous League defend title, shall be going through the Srinagar-based membership Downtown Heroes FC, which performs in I-League Division 2, within the opening group A league match on the Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday.
The competitors format has 24 groups divided into six teams of 4 groups every. The teams embrace groups from the ISL, I-League, and the Companies groups of India, Nepal, and Bangladesh.
Kolkata will host the matches of Teams A, B, and C, whereas Jamshedpur will host Group D matches. Kokrajhar and Shillong will host the Group E and F league matches respectively.
The 36-match group league stage will conclude with the Kolkata derby that includes two of the Mohun Bagan SG and East Bengal FC — oldest groups within the continent — on August 18.
All six group toppers and two greatest second-placed groups will progress to the quarterfinals (knock-out stage). The quarterfinals are slated to begin on August 21 and shall be held in Jamshedpur, Kokrajhar aside from Kolkata, which may have two matches. Kolkata will host each the semifinals and the ultimate, which shall be held on August 31.
The Teams
Group A (Kolkata): Mohun Bagan SG, East Bengal FC, Indian Air Drive, Downtown Heroes FC.
Group B (Kolkata): Bengaluru FC, Inter Kashi FC, Indian Navy, Mohammedan SC.
Group C (Kolkata): Kerala Blasters FC, Mumbai Metropolis FC, Punjab FC, CISF Protectors.
Group D (Jamshedpur): Jamshedpur FC, Chennaiyin FC, Indian Military, Bangladesh Military.
Group E (Kokrajhar): Odisha FC, NorthEast United FC, Bodoland FC, BSF FT.
Group F (Shillong): FC Goa, Hyderabad FC, Shillong Lajong FC, Tribhuvan Military FC (Nepal).
