Lajong in same group with FC Goa, Hyderabad FC, and Tribhuvan Army FC in Durand Cup

Shillong, July 11: The draw for the 133rd edition of the Durand Cup 2024 was announced on Thursday, placing Shillong Lajong FC in Group F alongside Indian Super League teams FC Goa and Hyderabad FC, as well as Tribhuvan Army FC from Nepal.
These matches will be held at the newly revamped JN Stadium in Shillong.
Shillong and Jamshedpur have been added as new co-hosts this year. Kokrajhar in Assam will serve as a venue for the second consecutive year, while Kolkata remains the primary host, with the tournament concluding on 31st August.
The competition starts on 27th July, but Shillong’s first match is scheduled for 2nd August.
This edition will feature 24 teams from the ISL, I-League, Indian Army, and two international teams from the armed forces of Bangladesh and Nepal.
Last year, Lajong, an I-League club, participated but exited at the group stage with two defeats and one win.
The JN Stadium has seen significant renovations, including a return to natural grass after nearly a decade of artificial turf. Upgrades include increased seating capacity, new dressing rooms, new floodlights, and aesthetic improvements.
Commissioner and Secretary of the Department of Sports & Youth Affairs, Vijay Kumar D, reported that the work is 95% complete. Tickets, priced between Rs 100 and Rs 500, will go on sale from Friday.
The stadium’s renovation faced a minor setback when a pressure group intervened to verify the documentation of laborers, aiming to address concerns about illegal migrants.
This led to at least one reported assault. Despite the incident, the government has assured that the workers, though shaken, have agreed to continue working.
The Durand Cup will follow a round-robin league format with knockout stages, culminating in the finals at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium.
A total of 43 matches will be played, with the top teams from each group and the two best second-placed teams advancing to the knockout phase.