The Durand Cup has long been the most coveted platform for aspiring footballers of the country.
The Durand Cup has long been the most coveted platform for aspiring footballers of the country.
Making a comeback this year and not hosting in the regular Delhi but West Bengal, Durand Cup is spread across three venues of Howrah, Kalyani, and Kolkata.
The teams that participated this year were:
Indian Super League – ATK, Bengaluru FC, Chennaiyin FC, FC Goa;
Hero I-league teams – Mohun Bagan AC, Quess East Bengal FC, Chennai City FC, Gokulam Kerala FC, Mohammedan Sporting Club, Real Kashmir FC and
Armed Service Teams – Army Red, Army Green, Indian Navy & Indian Air Force.
Now with the completion of group stages, four teams have made it to the top 4.
While Quess East Bengal and Gokulam Kerala will battle it out for a place in the finals, Mohun Bagan on the other hade will face Real Kashmir.
A look at the top 4 teams:
1. Quess East Bengal FC
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East Bengal Football Club - which was established on 1st August 1920 as a Sports and Cultural association - were placed in Group A.
They played against Army Red, Jamshedpur FC and Bengaluru FC - winning all their matches.
The club has won the Durand Cup 16 times.
2. Gokulam Kerala FC
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Gokulam Kerala Football Club was formed in 2017 with a vision to resurrect the football culture in Kerala.
They were placed in Group D along with Indian Air Force, TRAU and Chennaiyin FC.
Gokulam Kerala were the champion of the Kera Premier League in 2017.
The club is the only I-League team to have a Women’s football team at the national level competition.
3. Real Kashmir FC
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Real Kashmir Football Club is based in Srinagar. This is the first team from Kashmir to compete in I-League.
They participated in their first national competition in September 2016 in the Durand Cup. This year they placed in Group C along with FC Goa, Chennai City FC and Army Green.
In July 2017 Real Kashmir FC became the first club from J&K to play on foreign soil by playing 4 matches in Scotland.
4. Mohun Bagan AC
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Mohun Bagan AC was established on 15th August 1889. Mohun Bagan Athletic Club is one of the oldest clubs in Asia.
It has a history of becoming the first Indian team to win IFA Shield. In this year's Durand Cup, they were placed in Group B along with Mohammedan Sporting Club, Indian Navy and ATK.
Mohun Bagan has won National League/I-League four times and Federation Cup a record fourteen times. The club has also won the Durand Cup 16 times.
