Durand Cup: Kerala Blasters to meet Bengaluru FC in quarterfinal

Kolkata: The quarterfinal fixtures of the 133rd Durand Cup was announced on Sunday.

Fearing security concerns in the wake of widespread protests for a trainee doctor's alleged rape and murder case in Kolkata, the organisers had on Saturday abandoned the marquee clash between Mohun Bagan Super Giant and East Bengal.

Both the teams were awarded one point each as reigning champions Bagan qualified as Group A toppers to be pitted against Punjab FC in the third quarterfinal which will be held at Jamshedpur.

East Bengal made the cut as one of the two best second-placed teams to be drawn against Shillong Lajong FC in the second quarterfinal which will now be held in Shillong instead of the Salt Lake Stadium because of the prevailing unrest in the city.

Salt Lake Stadium, however, will get to host the fourth quarterfinal between Bengaluru FC and Kerala Blasters on Friday.

"After the FC Goa versus Shillong Lajong FC Group F game in Shillong concluded on Saturday evening and it became clear who the eight qualified teams were, a video call was arranged where representatives of all qualified teams came on board. A live draw of lots was then conducted in front of them and two teams to play in each venue was finalised," stated a release.

Both Bagan and East Bengal now find themselves in the opposite end of the draw with a potential derby clash in the final on August 31.

The organisers are, however, yet to confirm the venue for the semifinals and final which are slated to be held at the Salt Lake Stadium.

Quarterfinals: August 21 (Wednesday): Northeast United FC vs Indian Army FT (SAI Stadium Kokrajhar; 4 pm); Shillong Lajong FC vs East Bengal (Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Shillong; 7 pm).

August 23 (Friday): Mohun Bagan vs Punjab FC (JRD Tata Sports Complex, Jamshedpur; 4 pm); Bengaluru FC vs Kerala Blasters FC (Salt Lake Stadium; 7 pm).