The Durand Cup group stage is approaching its business end with the race for the quarter-final places intensifying.
Only Chennaiyin FC have secured a place in the last eight so far with the seven other berths still up for grabs. Only two teams Bangladesh Army and Shillong Lajong who have completed their quota of games have been eliminated from the competition leaving the remaining clubs to vie for the seven spots.
As we head into the final week of the group stage, we take a look at the group-wise qualification scenarios and the tie-breaker rules in case two or more teams finish level on points.
Tie-breakers
1) Head-to-head record
2) Goal Difference
3) If both H2H and GD are same, then it goes to goals scored
4) If Goals scored is also same, then Goal against (whoever has conceded lesser Goals)
5) If that's the same, then yellow cards and Red cards received. Teams with better disciplinary record goes through
6) If that's the same , then it will be a 'toss' to decide
Group A
Position
Team
Matches Played
Wins
Draws
Losses
GF
GC
GD
Points
1
Mohun Bagan SG
3
2
0
1
7
1
+6
6
2
East Bengal FC
2
1
1
0
3
2
+1
4
3
Bangladesh Army (E)
3
0
2
1
2
7
-5
2
4
Punjab FC
2
0
1
1
0
2
-2
1
Remaining Fixtures
East Bengal FC vs Punjab FC (August 16)
Scenarios:
Mohun Bagan Super Giant: The Mariners have played their games in the group stage winning two and losing against arch-rivals East Bengal FC. The defeat in the Kolkata derby means their qualification is not secure. An East Bengal win against Punjab FC will see the Red and Golds leapfrog them and claim the quarter-final berth.
Mohun Bagan will then have to wait for results in other groups to confirm their place in the last eight as one of the two best second-placed teams. Juan Ferrando’s men have a healthy goal difference so that should give them a strong chance of making it to the next round even if East Bengal FC win their final match.
East Bengal FC: Carles Cuadrat’s men have their fate in their own hands after the win in the Kolkata derby. As the only unbeaten team in the group, East Bengal can secure qualification with a win over Punjab FC. However, a draw would mean they would have to rely on other results to confirm their passage through as one of the best second-placed teams. With five points in their kitty, their chances would be pretty good. However a defeat in their final match against Punjab FC would eliminate the Red and Gold brigade.
Bangladesh Army - Winless in their three matches, Bangladesh Army are eliminated from the competition.
Punjab FC: The newly promoted outfit to the Indian Super League have to beat East Bengal FC in their final game to have any chance of progressing to the next stage. Even then they will have to rely on results in other group to go in their favour to finish as the two best runners-up.
Group B
Position
Team
Matches Played
Wins
Draws
Losses
GF
GC
GD
Points
1
Mumbai City FC
2
2
0
0
8
1
+7
6
2
Mohammedan SC
2
1
0
1
3
4
-1
3
3
Indian Navy
1
0
0
1
1
2
-1
0
4
Jamshedpur FC
1
0
0
1
0
5
-5
0
Remaining Fixtures
Jamshedpur FC vs Indian Navy (August 17)
Mumbai City FC vs Indian Navy (August 19)
Jamshedpur FC vs Mohammedan (August 20)
Scenarios:
Mumbai City FC: With two wins in two, the Islanders are in a very strong position to qualify for the next round. A draw in their final match will secure qualification for the Islanders. A draw between Jamshedpur FC and Indian Navy or a Jamshedpur FC win will secure Mumbai City FC a top-two finish and even a defeat against Navy would leave Des Buckingham’s men in a strong position to qualify thanks to their two wins and a healthy goal difference.
Mohammedan SC: The Kolkata giants need to beat Jamshedpur FC in the final game and hope Mumbai City FC lose against Navy. However, a win against Jamshedpur FC in their final match will certainly boost their chances of finishing among the two best runners-up. A draw would leave them needing favours elsewhere while a defeat would spell elimination.
Indian Navy: Indian Navy have their fate in their own hands and win in their final two games would see them reach the last eight. However, a defeat in either of the two games would make it almost impossible for them to have a chance. Four points from their remaining two matches would give them a chance as one of the two best runners-up teams but it would be dependent on results elsewhere.
Jamshedpur FC: A defeat to Mumbai City FC means they are out of contention for the top spot and their best would be to win their remaining games and give themselves a good chance of making it through as one of the two best second-placed teams. Four points in their final two games would be the minimum requirement for Jamshedpur FC to have a chance but they would need to win their game by a big margin thanks to their low goal difference.
Kerala Blasters FC vs Indian Air Force (August 21)
Bengaluru FC vs Gokulam Kerala (August 22)
Scenarios:
Gokulam Kerala: Gokulam Kerala find themselves in a very strong position in the group with two wins out of two and a draw in their final match against Bengaluru FC could be enough if the Blues don’t win their other two matches. Even a defeat against Bengaluru FC could give them a good chance of progressing as one of two best runners-up. For that to happen Bengaluru FC will have to have at least three points from their first two matches before the two teams meet.
Bengaluru FC: After a 1-1 draw in the opening fixture against the Indian Air Force, Bengaluru FC will have to win their remaining two group matches against Kerala Blasters FC and Gokulam Kerala FC to guarantee them a place in the last eight. A win and a draw may give them an outside chance of making it as one of the two second-best placed teams.
Kerala Blasters FC: Ivan Vukomanovic’s side’s defeat against their state rivals could prove to be costly for their quarter-final hopes. However, they still retain their fate and two wins in their final two matches could give them a good chance of making it to the next round either as group winners or as one of the two best second-placed team depending on other results. One more defeat and the Blasters would be eliminated.
Indian Air Force:The qualification scenario looks bleak for the Indian Air Force side after managing to secure only one point from two games. They will now need to win their final match against Kerala Blasters FC and also require favours from other matches.
Group D
Position
Team
Matches Played
Wins
Draws
Losses
GF
GC
GD
Points
1
FC Goa
2
1
1
0
8
2
+6
4
2
NorthEast United FC
2
1
1
0
6
2
+4
4
3
Shillong Lajong (E)
3
1
0
2
2
11
-9
3
4
Downtown Heroes
1
0
0
1
1
2
-1
0
Remaining Fixtures
FC Goa vs Downtown Heroes (August 16)
NorthEast United FC vs Downtown Heroes (August 20)
Scenarios:
FC Goa: The Gaurs need to match or better NorthEast United FC’s result to qualify for the next round. A draw or defeat and a NorthEast United FC win could leave them needing favours from elsewhere to have any chance of making it to the next round.
NorthEast United FC: The Highlanders need to better FC Goa’s result in their final match so that their goals difference is more than the Gaurs. A draw would leave them with a chance of qualifying but it would mean hoping for favours from elsewhere. A defeat would make it very difficult for NorthEast United FC to have any chance of making the last eight.
Shillong Lajong: With just three points from their three games, Lajong are out of contention for a place in the last eight.
Downtown Heroes: The team from kashmir have their fate in their own hands. Two wins in their remaining two matches will see them secure qualification. A win and a draw may give them an outside chance of making it as one of the two second-best placed teams.
Chennaiyin FC: The Super Machans have qualified for the quarter-finals
Delhi FC: With two draws so far, Delhi need to beat Chennaiyin FC in their final game to have a chance of making it to the next round.
Hyderabad FC: Hyderabad FC find themselves in a spot of bother after just collecting one point from their two matches. They need to win their final match and hope Chennaiyin FC don’t lose against Delhi FC. Even if that happens, they would need results in other groups to go in their favour.
Tribhuvan Army: Tribhuvan Army also need to win their final match and hope other results within and beyond Group E go in their favour.
Group F
Position
Team
Matches Played
Wins
Draws
Losses
GF
GC
GD
Points
1
Indian Army
1
1
0
0
1
0
+1
3
2
Odisha FC
2
1
0
1
2
2
0
3
3
Rajasthan United
2
1
0
1
2
2
0
3
4
Bodoland
1
0
0
1
0
1
-1
0
Remaining Fixtures
Bodoland vs Indian Army (August 17)
Bodoland vs Odisha FC (August 19)
Rajasthan United vs Indian Army (August 21)
Scenarios:
Indian Army: The Indian Army have their fate in their own hands and four points from their remaining two matches should help them seal qualification. A win over in one of the two matches would also leave them in strong position to qualify for the quarter-finals but with the group very close head-to-head record and subsequently goal difference could play a key part.
Odisha FC: Win over Rajasthan United has given them hope of making the quarter-final but they must beat Bodoland in their final match to have a chance. A defeat would spell elimination and a draw would leave them extremely vulnerable to facing an early exit.
Rajasthan United: Defeat against Odisha FC has made their route to the quarter-final a bit complex. They would need to beat Indian Army in their final match and hope Odisha FC fail to beat Bodoland in their final match to qualify. If Odisha FC, Rajasthan United and Indian Army both win a game each, then it would come down to goal difference between the three teams.
Bodoland: In a group as competitive as this Bodoland simply need to win both their remaining matches in order to qualify for the next round. An Odisha FC win against Indian Army though would still mean they would have to settle for second place if they win their two games. Any other results would in all likelihood be not enough for them to progress.
Comments
Mohun Bagan players went for personal glory. However, I would say East Bengal defense looks solid.
East Bengal is much better position to qualify for next round. Win, they will top the group, even a point may be sufficient.
https://twitter.com/thedurandcup
Shillong Lajong defeats Downtown Heroes 3-2
The Durand Cup group stage is approaching its business end with the race for the quarter-final places intensifying.
Only Chennaiyin FC have secured a place in the last eight so far with the seven other berths still up for grabs. Only two teams Bangladesh Army and Shillong Lajong who have completed their quota of games have been eliminated from the competition leaving the remaining clubs to vie for the seven spots.
As we head into the final week of the group stage, we take a look at the group-wise qualification scenarios and the tie-breaker rules in case two or more teams finish level on points.
Tie-breakers
1) Head-to-head record
2) Goal Difference
3) If both H2H and GD are same, then it goes to goals scored
4) If Goals scored is also same, then Goal against (whoever has conceded lesser Goals)
5) If that's the same, then yellow cards and Red cards received. Teams with better disciplinary record goes through
6) If that's the same , then it will be a 'toss' to decide
Group A
Position
Team
Matches Played
Wins
Draws
Losses
GF
GC
GD
Points
1
Mohun Bagan SG
3
2
0
1
7
1
+6
6
2
East Bengal FC
2
1
1
0
3
2
+1
4
3
Bangladesh Army (E)
3
0
2
1
2
7
-5
2
4
Punjab FC
2
0
1
1
0
2
-2
1
Remaining Fixtures
East Bengal FC vs Punjab FC (August 16)
Scenarios:
Mohun Bagan Super Giant: The Mariners have played their games in the group stage winning two and losing against arch-rivals East Bengal FC. The defeat in the Kolkata derby means their qualification is not secure. An East Bengal win against Punjab FC will see the Red and Golds leapfrog them and claim the quarter-final berth.
Mohun Bagan will then have to wait for results in other groups to confirm their place in the last eight as one of the two best second-placed teams. Juan Ferrando’s men have a healthy goal difference so that should give them a strong chance of making it to the next round even if East Bengal FC win their final match.
East Bengal FC: Carles Cuadrat’s men have their fate in their own hands after the win in the Kolkata derby. As the only unbeaten team in the group, East Bengal can secure qualification with a win over Punjab FC. However, a draw would mean they would have to rely on other results to confirm their passage through as one of the best second-placed teams. With five points in their kitty, their chances would be pretty good. However a defeat in their final match against Punjab FC would eliminate the Red and Gold brigade.
Bangladesh Army - Winless in their three matches, Bangladesh Army are eliminated from the competition.
Punjab FC: The newly promoted outfit to the Indian Super League have to beat East Bengal FC in their final game to have any chance of progressing to the next stage. Even then they will have to rely on results in other group to go in their favour to finish as the two best runners-up.
Group B
Position
Team
Matches Played
Wins
Draws
Losses
GF
GC
GD
Points
1
Mumbai City FC
2
2
0
0
8
1
+7
6
2
Mohammedan SC
2
1
0
1
3
4
-1
3
3
Indian Navy
1
0
0
1
1
2
-1
0
4
Jamshedpur FC
1
0
0
1
0
5
-5
0
Remaining Fixtures
Jamshedpur FC vs Indian Navy (August 17)
Mumbai City FC vs Indian Navy (August 19)
Jamshedpur FC vs Mohammedan (August 20)
Scenarios:
Mumbai City FC: With two wins in two, the Islanders are in a very strong position to qualify for the next round. A draw in their final match will secure qualification for the Islanders. A draw between Jamshedpur FC and Indian Navy or a Jamshedpur FC win will secure Mumbai City FC a top-two finish and even a defeat against Navy would leave Des Buckingham’s men in a strong position to qualify thanks to their two wins and a healthy goal difference.
Mohammedan SC: The Kolkata giants need to beat Jamshedpur FC in the final game and hope Mumbai City FC lose against Navy. However, a win against Jamshedpur FC in their final match will certainly boost their chances of finishing among the two best runners-up. A draw would leave them needing favours elsewhere while a defeat would spell elimination.
Indian Navy: Indian Navy have their fate in their own hands and win in their final two games would see them reach the last eight. However, a defeat in either of the two games would make it almost impossible for them to have a chance. Four points from their remaining two matches would give them a chance as one of the two best runners-up teams but it would be dependent on results elsewhere.
Jamshedpur FC: A defeat to Mumbai City FC means they are out of contention for the top spot and their best would be to win their remaining games and give themselves a good chance of making it through as one of the two best second-placed teams. Four points in their final two games would be the minimum requirement for Jamshedpur FC to have a chance but they would need to win their game by a big margin thanks to their low goal difference.
Group C
Position
Team
Matches Played
Wins
Draws
Losses
GF
GC
GD
Points
1
Gokulam Kerala
2
2
0
0
6
3
+3
6
2
Bengaluru FC
1
0
1
0
1
1
0
1
3
Kerala Blasters FC
1
0
0
1
3
4
-1
0
4
Indian Air Force
2
0
1
1
1
3
-2
1
Remaining Fixtures
Bengaluru FC vs Kerala Blasters FC (August 18)
Kerala Blasters FC vs Indian Air Force (August 21)
Bengaluru FC vs Gokulam Kerala (August 22)
Scenarios:
Gokulam Kerala: Gokulam Kerala find themselves in a very strong position in the group with two wins out of two and a draw in their final match against Bengaluru FC could be enough if the Blues don’t win their other two matches. Even a defeat against Bengaluru FC could give them a good chance of progressing as one of two best runners-up. For that to happen Bengaluru FC will have to have at least three points from their first two matches before the two teams meet.
Bengaluru FC: After a 1-1 draw in the opening fixture against the Indian Air Force, Bengaluru FC will have to win their remaining two group matches against Kerala Blasters FC and Gokulam Kerala FC to guarantee them a place in the last eight. A win and a draw may give them an outside chance of making it as one of the two second-best placed teams.
Kerala Blasters FC: Ivan Vukomanovic’s side’s defeat against their state rivals could prove to be costly for their quarter-final hopes. However, they still retain their fate and two wins in their final two matches could give them a good chance of making it to the next round either as group winners or as one of the two best second-placed team depending on other results. One more defeat and the Blasters would be eliminated.
Indian Air Force:The qualification scenario looks bleak for the Indian Air Force side after managing to secure only one point from two games. They will now need to win their final match against Kerala Blasters FC and also require favours from other matches.
Group D
Position
Team
Matches Played
Wins
Draws
Losses
GF
GC
GD
Points
1
FC Goa
2
1
1
0
8
2
+6
4
2
NorthEast United FC
2
1
1
0
6
2
+4
4
3
Shillong Lajong (E)
3
1
0
2
2
11
-9
3
4
Downtown Heroes
1
0
0
1
1
2
-1
0
Remaining Fixtures
FC Goa vs Downtown Heroes (August 16)
NorthEast United FC vs Downtown Heroes (August 20)
Scenarios:
FC Goa: The Gaurs need to match or better NorthEast United FC’s result to qualify for the next round. A draw or defeat and a NorthEast United FC win could leave them needing favours from elsewhere to have any chance of making it to the next round.
NorthEast United FC: The Highlanders need to better FC Goa’s result in their final match so that their goals difference is more than the Gaurs. A draw would leave them with a chance of qualifying but it would mean hoping for favours from elsewhere. A defeat would make it very difficult for NorthEast United FC to have any chance of making the last eight.
Shillong Lajong: With just three points from their three games, Lajong are out of contention for a place in the last eight.
Downtown Heroes: The team from kashmir have their fate in their own hands. Two wins in their remaining two matches will see them secure qualification. A win and a draw may give them an outside chance of making it as one of the two second-best placed teams.
Group E
Position
Team
Matches Played
Wins
Draws
Losses
GF
GC
GD
Points
1
Chennaiyin FC (Q)
2
2
0
0
6
1
+5
6
2
Delhi FC
2
0
2
0
2
2
0
4
3
Hyderabad FC
2
0
1
1
1
4
-2
3
4
Tribhuvan Army
2
0
1
1
2
4
-3
0
Remaining Fixtures
Delhi FC vs Chennaiyin FC (August 18)
Hyderabad FC vs Tribhuvan Army (August 22)
Scenarios:
Chennaiyin FC: The Super Machans have qualified for the quarter-finals
Delhi FC: With two draws so far, Delhi need to beat Chennaiyin FC in their final game to have a chance of making it to the next round.
Hyderabad FC: Hyderabad FC find themselves in a spot of bother after just collecting one point from their two matches. They need to win their final match and hope Chennaiyin FC don’t lose against Delhi FC. Even if that happens, they would need results in other groups to go in their favour.
Tribhuvan Army: Tribhuvan Army also need to win their final match and hope other results within and beyond Group E go in their favour.
Group F
Position
Team
Matches Played
Wins
Draws
Losses
GF
GC
GD
Points
1
Indian Army
1
1
0
0
1
0
+1
3
2
Odisha FC
2
1
0
1
2
2
0
3
3
Rajasthan United
2
1
0
1
2
2
0
3
4
Bodoland
1
0
0
1
0
1
-1
0
Remaining Fixtures
Bodoland vs Indian Army (August 17)
Bodoland vs Odisha FC (August 19)
Rajasthan United vs Indian Army (August 21)
Scenarios:
Indian Army: The Indian Army have their fate in their own hands and four points from their remaining two matches should help them seal qualification. A win over in one of the two matches would also leave them in strong position to qualify for the quarter-finals but with the group very close head-to-head record and subsequently goal difference could play a key part.
Odisha FC: Win over Rajasthan United has given them hope of making the quarter-final but they must beat Bodoland in their final match to have a chance. A defeat would spell elimination and a draw would leave them extremely vulnerable to facing an early exit.
Rajasthan United: Defeat against Odisha FC has made their route to the quarter-final a bit complex. They would need to beat Indian Army in their final match and hope Odisha FC fail to beat Bodoland in their final match to qualify. If Odisha FC, Rajasthan United and Indian Army both win a game each, then it would come down to goal difference between the three teams.
Bodoland: In a group as competitive as this Bodoland simply need to win both their remaining matches in order to qualify for the next round. An Odisha FC win against Indian Army though would still mean they would have to settle for second place if they win their two games. Any other results would in all likelihood be not enough for them to progress.
https://twitter.com/thedurandcup