Kolkata, Aug 09: The Federation Cup Final takes place in Kolkata today with two unlikely teams facing off for the title—Mahindra United and Mohammedan Sporting. Mahindra have never won the Federation Cup, while two-time winners, Sporting, are in the final after 14 years. The organizers, meanwhile, are hoping the final will be spared of any controversy.

Mohammadan Sporting had initially threatened to boycott the final following the death of two of their fans on Tuesday. But they decided to go ahead and play, but will wear black armbands as a mark of protest.

And for now its football first as Kolkata's second oldest club tries to make the most of reaching its first final in 14 years.

"Mohammedan Sporting are in the final after 14 years, it is very important for us, the officials and the players are confident that we can win and achieve something, we will go all out," Mohammed Habib, coach, Mohammedan Sporting.
The final marks a change in the fortunes of Sporting, who beat city rivals Mohun Bagan in the semi-final 5-4 on penalties. Having spent the last few seasons in the second division, Sporting has managed to earn a place in the national football league this season.

Mahindra United, like their opponents are also enjoying a period of resurgence. An eighth place finish in the last national league forced them to hire a foreign coach and David Booth has certainly done his bit.
A good quality final will also help the tournament redeem its image the fed cup wasn't held the last two years and this time it got all the wrong kind of publicity. Bureau Report