Durand Cup 2024: East Bengal, Mohun Bagan To Play Quarterfinals Outside Kolkata – Check Fixtures
Kolkata: The Salt Lake stadium in Kolkata will host the Durand Cup quarterfinal clash between Bengaluru FC against Kerala Blasters on August 23, the fixtures of which were announced on Sunday. Fearing security concerns in the wake of widespread protests for a trainee doctor’s alleged rape and murder case in Kolkata, the organisers had on Saturday abandoned the marquee league fixture between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal.
With Bengaluru FC and Kerala Blasters not having large fan bases in Kolkata, the organizers risked of having atleast one game in the iconic stadium. The rest of the quarterfinal games were spread across Guwahati, Shillong and Jamshedpur.
Following the cancellation of Kolkata Derby, both East Bengal and Mohun Bagan were awarded one point each. Reigning champions Mohun Bagan qualified as group A toppers and were pitted against Punjab FC in the third quarterfinal which will be held at Jamshedpur.
East Bengal made the cut as one of the two best second-placed teams to be drawn against Shillong Lajong FC for the second quarterfinal which will now be held in Shillong instead of the Salt Lake Stadium because of the prevailing unrest in the city.
“After the FC Goa versus Shillong Lajong FC Group F game in Shillong concluded on Saturday evening and it became clear who the eight qualified teams were, a video call was arranged where representatives of all qualified teams came on board. A live draw of lots was then conducted in front of them and two teams to play in each venue was finalised,” stated a release.
Both Mohun Bagan and East Bengal now find themselves in the opposite end of the draw with a potential derby clash in the Durand Cup final on August 31. The organisers are however yet to confirm the venue for the semifinals and final which are slated at the Salt Lake Stadium.
Durand Cup Quarterfinal Line-Ups
August 21: Northeast United FC vs Indian Army FT (SAI Stadium Kokrajhar; 4 PM); Shillong Lajong FC vs East Bengal (Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Shillong; 7 PM)
August 23: Mohun Bagan vs Punjab FC (JRD Tata Sports Complex, Jamshedpur; 4 PM); Bengaluru FC vs Kerala Blasters FC (Saltlake Stadium; 7 PM)