Durand Cup 2019: Group D matches set to be shifted out of Siliguri

The group consists of Gokulam Kerala, Chennaiyin FC, TRAU FC and Air Force.

Ahead of the forthcoming edition of the Durand Cup in West Bengal, the tournament has received a setback as the venue for the Group D matches, Siliguri, might be shifted in the coming days, reports The Times of India.

The Durand Cup, which was supposed to be played at five different venues for the four different groups at East Bengal Ground, Mohun Bagan Ground, Kalyani Stadium, Salt Lake Stadium and Siliguri Stadium, might shift its Group D games to Howrah Stadium on account of heavy rainfall in the area. An official confirmation is expected to follow soon on the said matter.

The 129th edition of the tournament will see four armed forces teams (Army Red, Army Green, Air Force and Navy) take on six I-League sides (East Bengal, Mohun Bagan, Chennai City FC, Real Kashmir, TRAU FC and Gokulam Kerala) as well as five ISL sides (ATK, Bengaluru FC, Jamshedpur FC, FC Goa and Chennaiyin FC).

Siliguri, which is a part of northern West Bengal is adjacent to the states of Assam and Bihar, which are currently facing a severe flood. According to unofficial reports, 166 are already dead in the floods while around 1 crore people have been affected by the natural disaster.

The tournament, which is being organised for the first time ever in West Bengal might see national team head coach Igor Stimac attending a few games for scouting purposes. However, recent reports have claimed that several ISL sides will field their reserve teams in the tournament.

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The Cup will kickoff on 2nd August with 16-time champions Mohun Bagan, who were also the first-ever civilian team to participate in the tournament taking on Mohammedan Sporting Club, who were the first-ever civilian side to win the competition in 1940, at the Salt Lake Stadium.

You can read the entire coverage of Durand Cup 2019 here.