KOLKATA: Indian Super League champions Mohun Bagan SG and East Bengal have been placed in Group A of the 132nd edition of Durand Cup, starting next month.
According to the groupings of the participating 24 teams, announced by the tournament organisers on Monday, Roundglass Punjab FC, who have become the first I-League side to be promoted to ISL this season, and Bangladesh Army are the other two sides of the group.
The date of the much-anticipated derby between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan is yet to be decided.
Another city side Mohammedan Sporting Arte in Group B, alongside ISL Shield winners Mumbai City FC, Jamshedpur FC and Indian Navy.
Group C consists of defending champions Bengaluru FC, Indian Air Force and two Kerala sides —Kerala Blasters and 2019 champions Gokulam Kerala FC.
Matches of these groups will be played in and around Kolkata.
The city’s iconic Salt Lake Stadium will host the final on September 3.
Guwahati’s Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium and Kokrajhar’s SAI center ground are the other venues for this century-old tournament.
Group F will be played in Kokrajhar, the newest venue and which has local Bodoland team, making a debut in the tournament this year and fighting alongwith Super Cup champions Odisha FC, I-League side Rajasthan United FC and Indian Army.
This time, the tournament will see a return of foreign participation after a gap of 27 years. Guwahati and Kokrajhar will host a quarterfinal each while the rest of the knockout matches will take place in Kolkata.
