Nayanar Memorial Football Tournament from Friday

[1]

After about two years of gap, Kozhikode will deck up for another national-level club competition, E.K Nayanar Memorial Gold Cup Football Tournament, on Friday. Eight teams, including three I-League teams will participate in the 12-day tourney.

In the opening match, home team Kerala XI will play I-league side Air India. “The match will be a tough one. They have played I-League and are coming with that experience. Though it is our home turf, we will have to sweat out to win,” said Kerala XI coach M. M. Jacob.

“We had only five days to practice. But I pin hopes on the youngsters. We will try our best to get a desired result. We have a couple of experienced players, who have played Santosh Trophy last year too,” he said.

Meanwhile, Anthony Fernandes, the coach in-charge of Air India, says that he expect a good fight from the Kerala side.

“We have rested a couple of players and some players are injured. Moreover, they are a younger side and it will always be a tough job to beat such a side. Besides, they are the home team and will be getting the maximum of crowd support,” he said.

Fixture

Group 1
Mumbai FC, Southern Samity, Army XI, Lajong FC Shillong

Group 2
Air India, Kerala XI, BN Railway Kolkata, M.E.G Bangalore

March 9
Air India vs Kerala XI – 6.30 pm

March 10
Mumbai FC vs Army XI – 6.30 pm

March 11
M.E.G Bangalore vs Air India – 4.45 pm
BN Railway vs Kerala XI – 6.30 pm

March 12
Lajong FC vs Mumbai FC – 6.30 pm

March 13
B N Railway vs Air India - 4.45 pm
MEG Bangalore vs Kerala XI – 6.30 pm

March 14
Lajong FC vs Army XI – 4.45 pm
Southern Samity vs Mumbai FC – 6.30 pm

March 15
MEG Bangalore vs BN Railway – 6.30 pm

March 16
Southern Samity vs Lajong FC – 6.30 pm

March 17
Souther Samity vs Army XI – 4.45 pm
First Semi Finals – 6.30 pm

March 18
Second Semifinal – 6.30 pm

March 20
Finals – 6.15 pm