East Bengal to meet Air India in inaugural Fed Cup match

Cuttack: The historic Barabati Stadium here is all set to host the 32nd Federation Cup football tournament

after a hiatus of 23 years with defending champions East Bengal taking on Air India in the inaugural match on Tuesday. While East Bengal face Air India in the first match, HAL, Bangalore will lock horns with Pune Football Club in the second encounter of the day. Group A and Group D matches of the tournament were being played here, while the venues of Group B and Group C games had are Goa and Ludhiana respectively. All the eight teams of Group A and D have already reached the city, which had last hosted the Federation Cup way back in 1987. Besides best of domestic footballers, the tournament would also witness players from abroad as each team has been allowed to field in three foreign players, including one of Asian origin. Group A: East Bengal, HAL, Pune Football Club and Air India. Group D: Mohan Bagan, Mumbai Football Club, Lajong of Shillong and Salgocar Sports Club, Goa. PTI