Imphal/Kokrajhar, Aug 11: The group stage of the 134th Durand Cup reaches its final day on Tuesday (August 12, 2025) with two decisive fixtures set to decide the last remaining spots in the knockout rounds. The day begins in Imphal at 4:00 PM IST, where the Indian Navy Football Team (4 points) meet already-eliminated TRAU FC at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium. The equation is straightforward for the Sailors, win and they qualify; anything less and Real Kashmir FC (6 points) will claim the quarterfinal spot from Group F.
Later in Kokrajhar at 7:00 PM IST, local club Bodoland FC (6 points) take on the disciplined ITBP Football Team (4 points) in the Group D decider at SAI Stadium. A draw will be enough for Bodoland to script a historic first-ever knockout appearance in the Durand Cup, while ITBP must take all three points to qualify.
The Indian Navy FT will enter this match second in Group F behind Real Kashmir FC, needing nothing less than a win against TRAU FC to secure a quarterfinal spot as group toppers with seven points. The Sailors’ campaign began brightly with a 2–1 victory over Real Kashmir, followed by a hard-fought 0–0 draw against NEROCA FC. Solid at the back under captain Bhaskar Roy but occasionally lacking in the final third, the Sailors will need to sharpen their attacking edge to break down a TRAU side eager to finish on a high.
TRAU, already out of contention with one point from two matches, will look to end on a high in front of the home crowd. They drew 1–1 with local rivals NEROCA FC before a narrow 2–1 loss to Real Kashmir in a match where Afridi Buyamayum scored and skipper Shitaljit Atom saw red. With no pressure on them, TRAU could play with freedom and disrupt the Navy’s plans. Local side Bodoland FC have been the story of the group stage so far, winning both their matches to lead the group D with six points. After a 2–1 opening win over Karbi Anglong, they stunned ISL side Punjab FC 1–0 through a second-half strike by Colombian forward Robinson Blandon Rendon, eliminating last season’s quarterfinalists in the process. Backed by passionate home support and a rock-solid defence led by Mosang and Dinesh Basumatary, they have shown a perfect mix of grit and composure.
ITBP, meanwhile, sit second with four points, having opened with a 2–1 win over Karbi Anglong before frustrating Punjab FC in a goalless draw built on resilient defending and commanding goalkeeping from Ugesh Lama. ITBP will go for all three points to keep their Durand journey alive, as anything less than that will send Bodoland FC through.
By the end of Tuesday, the quarter finals lineup for the 134th edition of Asia’s oldest football tournament will be complete. Emami East Bengal (Group A), Mohun Bagan SG (Group B), Jamshedpur FC (Group C) and NorthEast United FC (Group E) have already booked their quarterfinal places, while Shillong Lajong FC (Group E) and Diamond Harbour FC (Group B) currently lead the two-best-second-placed standings with 6 points and goal differences of +7 and +4 respectively. (Agencies)
