IFA shield tourney to kick off on Aug 30

Kolkata: Mohun Bagan and East Bengal will begin their respective campaigns in the IFA Shield football

tournament on September 3, the state association announced today after the draw for the 114th edition of the meet here. As per the revised schedule, the Indian Football Association (IFA) will hold the premier tournament from August 30 to September 12 at various venues in Kolkata with the fixtures yet to be decided. Twelve teams divided in four groups will play in a league-cum-knock out basis and top four teams from each group will make the semi-finals. The IFA has shortlisted Mohammedan Sporting, Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Howrah grounds for the league stage of the tournament, IFA secretary Utpal Ganguli told reporters. From semi-final onwards, the matches will be held on the newly-laid astro turf of the Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Salt Lake with ESPN telecasting the ties live. The foreign side, AS Douanes of Senegal, has been clubbed with Air India and Pune FC in Group D. "We are working out on the fixtures which would be ready by tomorrow morning," Ganguli said. The league stage matches will start at 3 pm. The IFA has decided to hold the matches in the afternoon to avoid problems with the availability of floodlights at various venues. Bureau Report