In the 132nd edition of the historic Durand Cup, the football sphere is buzzing with excitement as the stage is set for the quarter-finals showdown. The draw for the much-anticipated last eight stage was unveiled in a virtual meeting that hosted representatives from the eight qualifying teams.
Thursday will see NorthEast United go head-to-head with Indian Army at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati. This face-off will mark the initiation of the knockout stage, further amplifying the thrill of the tournament. Following this, Friday's showdown is another cracker, with Kolkata giants East Bengal gearing up to challenge Gokulam Kerala at the esteemed Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan located in Kolkata.
The weekend continues to promise exhilarating football action. On Saturday, FC Goa is slated to cross paths with Chennaiyin FC, again at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati. However, the crowning jewel of the quarter-finals is undoubtedly the clash between Indian Super League champions Mohun Bagan and ISL Shield victors Mumbai City. This marquee matchup is scheduled for Sunday, ensuring a fitting conclusion to the last eight stage.
Interestingly, due to adverse weather conditions, the initial venue of Kokrajhar for the first quarter-final has been changed to Guwahati, to provide optimal playing conditions. The football aficionados can tune in to all matches at 6 pm IST. The choice of venues, between Kolkata and Guwahati, was determined via a live draw of lots.
While the structure for the semi-finals remains under wraps, the grand finale has been scheduled for September 3, at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan.
The current edition of the Durand Cup witnessed a broadened participation of 24 teams, marking an increase of four from its predecessor. Notably, this year saw the inclusion of two international teams from Nepal and Bangladesh, making their debut after a hiatus of 27 years.
The progression to the quarter-finals was determined post the round-robin format, where six group stage winners and two runner-ups qualified. Historically, Mohun Bagan and East Bengal hold the mantle as the titans of this tournament, with a staggering 16 victories apiece.
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