The Hindu : Bagan to skip Durand Cup

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Dec 30, 2002

Sport

Sport - Football

Bagan to skip Durand Cup

NEW DELHI DEC. 29. As anticipated, Mohun Bagan will not be seen in action in this year's Durand Cup Football tournament.

The official confirmation of Bagan's absence came when the groupings for the quarterfinal league were released here on Sunday.

As indicated in these columns on Dec. 29, Bagan has been replaced by Air-India. The place of defending champion Mahindra United, the other famed club to turn its back on the tournament, has been taken by Punjab State Electricity Board.

Meanwhile, in the last preliminary stage match, Assam Regimental Centre lived up to the expectations and made the main draw by dismissing Indian Navy 3-0 at the Ambedkar Stadium here.

In what turned out to be a lop-sided contest, ARC struck in the 23rd minute when Gordan booted home a cross from the hard-working Lalreit Puia.

Pura was rewarded for his efforts when his ambitious attempt at the goal, from a very acute angle, was misread by the Navy goalkeeper V.S. Mankotia.

In the second session, striker Sansel Koireng and Gordan missed a few easy chances. In the closing stages, Koireng latched on to a pass from Lalhmachouna to complete the scoreline.

ARC now joins Salgaocar and Punjab State Electricity Board in Group `D' of the quarterfinal league, commencing from Tuesday.

The groups: Group `A': JCT, Tata Football Academy and Mohammedan Sporting. Group `B': East Bengal, MEG and Air-India. Group `C': ITI, Army XI and Vasco Sports Club. Group `D': Salgaocar Club, Assam Regimental Centre and Punjab State Electricity Board.

Semifinals: (a) Winner of Group `A' v winner of Group `C' on Jan. 7; (b) Winner of Group `B' v winner of Group `D' on Jan. 8.

Final: Jan. 10. — Our Special Correspondent

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