34th Federation Cup: Jamshedpur replaces Ranchi, to host Groups A & D!

Though the All India Football Federation has not officially confirmed the move of shifting the Group A and D matches from Ranchi to Jamshedpur, the step is a forgone conclusion after venues in Ranchi were found unsuitable for the tournament and time is running out for the federation.

The eight clubs of Group A and D besides marketing and broadcasting partners IMG-Reliance have been intimidated by the AIFF about the move to shift matches from Ranchi to Jamshedpur with no other workable option left to the federation.

Now the JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur will not only host the qualifiers, which kick-off later today but also the quarterfinal league matches for the Group A (Dempo SC, Pailan Arrows, Mumbai FC, Shillong Lajong FC) and Group D (Salgaocar SC, Prayag United SC, Pune FC, United Sikkim FC) along with the first semifinal.

Also with Jamshedpur's JRD Tata Sports Complex and other venues in the city not having any floodlighting this means that matches would have to be played in the afternoon, maybe even mid-day kick-offs with two matches a day set to be played for six days though there are said to be plans to play at two venues.