123rd Durand Cup: The tournament proper starts

The qualifiers of the 123rd Durand Cup ended today with Garhwal Heroes beating AOC, Secunderabad 3-0 to secure the last and final place in the quarterfinal league stage. The third qualifier spot became free after I-League champions Dempo SC pulled out at the last moment. Earlier MEG, Banglore had won 1-0 against AOC, Secunderabad; while Indian Air Force had won 5-3 on penalties against Garhwal Heroes to get their place in the tournament proper.

The quarterfinal league stage will be played with 12 teams split into four groups of three teams each starting on Wednesday, October 27. Besides Dempo SC Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan AC, finalists last year, are also giving the tournament a miss ahead of the I-League. The final is slated for Sunday, November 7 and all matches will be played at the Ambedkar Stadium.

It will be another good test for the I-League sides ahead of the start of the league in a month's time. Can Churchill Brothers SC defend their or will East Bengal continue their winning run. Questions over questions, which will be answered in the next couple of weeks.


COMPLETE FIXTURES

Group 1
Churchill Brothers SC; Army Red; MEG, Bangalore (Qualifier A)

27-Oct-2010: Churchill Brothers SC - MEG, Bangalore (17.00 IST)
29-Oct-2010: Army Red - MEG, Bangalore (13.00 IST)
31-Oct-2010: Churchill Brothers SC - Army Red (13.00 IST)

Group 2
Chirag United SC; Pune FC; Indian Air Force (Qualifier B)

29-Oct-2010: Pune FC - Indian Air Force (15.00 IST)
31-Oct-2010: Pune FC - Chirag United SC (15.00 IST)
02-Nov-2010: Chirag United SC - Indian Air Force (13.00 IST)

Group 3
JCT; Sporting Clube de Goa; Garhwal Heroes, Delhi (Qualifier C)

28-Oct-2010: Sporting Clube de Goa - Garhwal Heroes (13.00 IST)
30-Oct-2010: Sporting Clube de Goa - JCT (13.00 IST)
01-Nov-2010: Garhwal Heroes - JCT (13.00 IST)

Group 4
Salgaocar SC; East Bengal Club; Air India

28-Oct-2010: Air India - Salgaocar SC (15.00 IST)
30-Oct-2010: East Bengal Club - Air India (15.00 IST)
01-Nov-2010: East Bengal Club - Salgaocar SC (15.00 IST)

Semifinals
03-Nov-2010: Winner Group 1 - Winner Group 3 (17.15 IST)
04-Nov-2010: Winner Group 2 - Winner Group 4 (17.15 IST)

Final
07-Nov-2010: Winner SF 1 - Winner SF 2 (17.00 IST)