34th Federation Cup to be in Siliguri & Ranchi

The 34th edition of the Federation Cup will be held from September 19 to 30 simultaneously in Siliguri (West Bengal) and Ranchi (Jharkhand). The 16 team league-cum-knockout competition would see India's top 14 I-League clubs plus two qualifiers in action.

The group stage would be played from September 19 to 25 with Group A and D in Ranchi, while Group B and C would be played in Siliguri. The semifinals are slated for September 26 and 27, while the final will be played on September 30.

All four groups look interesting this time around and they hopefully will see some good football action with the toughest group surely being Group D where defending champions Salgaocar SC face Pune FC, big spenders Prayag United SC and I-League newcomers United Sikkim FC.

The three other Groups look balanced, be it Group A with I-League champions Dempo SC, Mumbai FC, Pailan Arrows and Shillong Lajong FC; or Group B with Churchill Brothers SC, Air India, Mohun Bagan AC and Qualifier 1; or Group C with Sporting Clube de Goa, ONGC, East Bengal Club and Qualifier 2.

Two teams would make it from the seven team qualifiers in which the two I-League relegated Chirag United Kerala and HAL SC will play alongside five teams from last years 2nd Division I-League in Mohammedan Sporting Club, Royal Wahingdoh FC, Vasco SC, Kalighat Milan Sangha and Aizawl FC. These seven clubs would be divided into two groups with the two winners making it into the tournament proper.


GROUPS of the QUARTERFINAL LEAGUE

Group A (Ranchi)
Dempo SC, Mumbai FC, Pailan Arrows, Shillong Lajong FC

Group B (Siliguri)
Churchill Brothers SC, Air India, Mohun Bagan AC, Qualifier 1

Group C (Siliguri)
Sporting Clube de Goa, ONGC, East Bengal Club, Qualifier 2

Group D (Ranchi)
Salgaocar SC, Pune FC, Prayag United SC, United Sikkim FC