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The 2017 Federation Cup will kick-off tomorrow, May 7 with East Bengal Club clashing swords against Churchill Brothers at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack, Odisha at 4pm; while newly crowned I-League champions and last year Fed Cup runners-up Aizawl FC will face Chennai City FC later in the day at 7pm.
Groups for the Federation Cup have been chalked out based on a respective Team’s position in the final I-League table. Teams finishing 1st, 3rd, 6th and 8th in the final table of the I-League have been clubbed in Group A, while Teams finishing 2nd, 4th, 5th and 7th have been slotted in Group B. Top two Teams from each group will progress to the semifinals which are slated to be played on May 14.
Aizawl FC, East Bengal, Churchill Brothers, and Chennai City FC comprise Group A for the Federation Cup while Mohun Bagan, Shillong Lajong FC, Bengaluru FC and DSK Shivajians FC make up Group B.
Speaking at the Official Pre-Tournament Press Conference, Head Coach of defending champions Mohun Bagan, who begin their Championship defence against DSK Shivajians FC on May 8, Sanjoy Sen said, “We have been drawn in a competitive group and we will look forward to facing a tough fight from every Team. There is pressure when you are the defending Champions, but that is Football.”
Champions of India Aizawl FC will be looking to add another feather to their cap. Khalid Jamil stated, “Every Tournament is different but we will try to win the Championship, as will every Team. It is an interesting group and we will see how it fares out.”
Bengaluru FC’s Albert Roca said, “Each Team will prove to be a challenge in itself. We aim to stay positive and take one match at a time.”
Thangboi Singto of Shillong Lajong FC stated, “It is a tough group that we are pitted in. We will hope to give every opponent a tough fight. In Football you win some you lose some, but what matters is the heart, and we will play with it.”
East Bengal’s Ranjan Chaudhuri said, “Every match is important against every opponent. Churchill Brothers will certainly prove a tough challenge for us, but that is Football. We will give it our all and try to win.”
Meanwhile Chennai City FC’s head coach V. Soundarajan informed, “We are looking forward to the Aizawl FC challenge tomorrow. They have some of the best Players in the Nation and they are deserved Champions. We have the utmost respect for them.”
DSK Shivajian FC’s Dave Rogers said, “The I-League has been very competitive this season and that will seep down to the Federation Cup. It will be a Tournament where anybody can defeat anybody on their day.”
