Agencies
Kolkata
The 135th Durand Cup gets underway on Saturday with Indian football’s biggest rivalry as Mohun Bagan Super Giant take on East Bengal FC in the opening Group A fixture at Kolkata.
The tournament features 24 teams split into six groups, with the group winners and two best second-placed teams advancing to the quarter-finals.
Alongside Indian Super League and I-League clubs, the competition includes Services teams, regional outfits and Sri Lanka’s Defenders FC.
East Bengal, the reigning ISL champions, begin their campaign under Spanish coach Habas, who has previously managed both Kolkata giants.
Mohun Bagan, last season’s ISL runners-up, will be led by new Greek coach Panagiotis Dilmperis.
The build-up has been affected by uncertainty over the domestic calendar, with several ISL clubs opting out and many teams entering the tournament without full pre-season preparations.
In a major boost, the West Bengal government has extended its support for the Durand Cup until 2032.
