Durand Cup group D matches moved to Kolkata in revised fixtures

Kolkata, July 29 (IANS) The Durand Cup organisers made wholesale changes to their fixtures list, moving group D league matches of the 129th edition to Kolkata from Siliguri, while also postponing the semi-finals by a day to August 21.

The Howrah Stadium will host five group D matches while another will be held at the Mohun Bagan ground as per the revised fixtures.

Former Indian Super League (ISL) winners Chennaiyin FC, I-League outfit Gokulam Kerala, newly promoted to the I-League TRAU and Air Force are the four teams in the group.

Defending ISL champions Bengaluru FC will play all their three group A league matches on the revised dates at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan which will now host 10 matches including the two semi-finals and final of the third oldest tournament in the world.

The East Bengal ground, Mohun Bagan ground and Kalyani stadium are the other venues, the organisers said. These will host the group C matches.

City football giants Mohun Bagan will take on Mohammedan Sporting in the opening fixture of the Durand Cup on August 2 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan.

The iconic meet will see participation from both I-League and ISL clubs alongwith military outfits.

The third oldest competition in the world will have sixteen teams -- five from ISL, six from I-League and one from I-League second division -- vying for the top honours.

The Indian Army will have two teams -- Army Red and Army Green -- with the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy also taking part. The final will be held on August 24.