Kolkata, Aug 13: The quarter-final line-up for the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup is beginning to take shape, with five teams having already secured their places in the knockout stage ahead of the final group-stage matches on Thursday.
Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Indian Army FT, SC Delhi, FC Raengdai and defending champions NorthEast United FC have all finished top of their respective groups and booked their quarter-final berths.
The remaining three spots will be decided after the final group-stage fixtures on August 13. One of those places will go to the winner of Group E, while the other two will be awarded to the best two second-placed teams across the six groups.
The quarter-finals are scheduled to begin on August 16.
Five teams through
Mohun Bagan Super Giant were the first side to qualify after winning all three of their Group A matches. They finished with nine points and an impressive +15 goal difference, scoring 15 goals without conceding.
East Bengal FC finished second in the group with six points and a +12 goal difference. Having completed their campaign, they now have to wait and see whether their record is enough to earn one of the two best-runner-up spots.
In Group B, Indian Army FT also completed a perfect group-stage campaign, winning all three matches to finish on nine points.
Samaleswari Sporting finished second with six points and a +3 goal difference. Like East Bengal, they have completed their fixtures and are now waiting for the results elsewhere.
SC Delhi produced one of the biggest stories of the group stage in Group C, finishing top with nine points. The debutants also recorded an impressive +14 goal difference after scoring 16 goals and conceding just twice.
Jamshedpur FC and Indian Air Force FT remain in contention for second place in the group, with both having one match left. Jamshedpur currently have three points and a +4 goal difference, while the Air Force side have three points and a -5 goal difference.
FC Raengdai secured the top spot in Group D after winning two of their matches and becoming uncatchable at the summit. TRAU FC finished with four points, while Indian Navy FT and NEROCA FC were unable to advance.
Defending champions NorthEast United FC have also made it through from Group F after winning all three of their matches. They finished with nine points and a +10 goal difference.
Group E to be decided by Shillong derby
The final group winner will come from Group E, where Shillong Lajong FC and Langsning FC will meet in an all-Shillong clash on the final matchday.
Lajong currently lead the group with six points from two matches and a +7 goal difference. Langsning have four points and a +5 goal difference.
A win or draw will be enough for Lajong to finish top, while a victory for Langsning will take them to seven points and send them through as Group E winners.
Nongkseh SS&CC and Mumbay FC have completed their campaigns and have been eliminated.
Race for the two best runners-up
East Bengal and Samaleswari currently set the benchmark with six points each after completing their respective group campaigns.
Langsning are next with four points, while Jamshedpur FC, Indian Air Force FT and Bodoland FC can still reach six points by winning their final matches.
Jamshedpur have the strongest position among the remaining contenders, with a +4 goal difference. Indian Air Force FT, on the other hand, face a much tougher task with a -5 goal difference.
Bodoland FC are also still mathematically alive in Group F. They have three points and a -3 goal difference and would need a convincing victory in their final game to reach six points and improve their goal difference sufficiently to challenge for one of the two runner-up places.
With the top two second-placed teams advancing, goal difference could play a decisive role if several teams finish level on points.
Eliminated teams
A total of 12 teams have already been eliminated from the competition.
They are South United FC and CISF Protectors FT from Group A; Mohammedan Sporting Club and Baghpat FC from Group B; Defenders FC from Group C; TRAU FC, Indian Navy FT and NEROCA FC from Group D; Nongkseh SS&CC and Mumbay FC from Group E; and FC 1 and Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC from Group F.
The final group-stage matches on August 13 will determine the remaining three quarter-finalists, with the knockout stage scheduled to begin on August 16.
