Durand Cup to kick off on July 23 sans some ISL sides

Positioned as the season-opener of Indian football ever since it moved out of Delhi, the Durand Cup this year will be held across five cities in the East and North Eastern States during the group league stage.

The group league stage comprises six groups of four teams each, with every group having six matches. The group winners and two best second-placed teams will progress to the quarterfinals, set to be held on August 16 and 17.

The semifinals are scheduled for August 19 and 20 and the grand finale on August 23. The venues for the knockout rounds are yet to be identified.

What seems to be taking the sheen out of this year’s edition is the absence of many Indian Super League teams, which have been participating in full strength for the last few years. This may have happened owing to the uncertainty over the future of Indian Super League, which has seen many of the franchises holding back the start of their pre-season preparations.

Among the ISL teams taking part are the three Kolkata sides — Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Emami East Bengal and Mohammedan Sporting FC – along with Jamshedpur FC, NorthEast United FC and Punjab FC. The other participants include a few sides from the I-League and different services teams.