Fed Cup: Defending champs Bagan in tough group

Defending champions Mohun Bagan were on Monday clubbed in a tough group along with Mahindra United in the Federation Cup final round which begins on December 21 in Guwahati and Silchar.

Mohun Bagan open their campaign against a qualifier in Guwahati on the opening day of the tournament.

Chirag United, who are doing very well in the ongoing I-League at fourth spot - one place above Bagan - are thefourth side in Group B from which only the top team will proceed to the semifinals.

The All India Football Federation, after its emergency committee meeting in Kolkata on Sunday, had said that the tournament would start from December 20 but the draws released by the federation on Monday said the two opening matches will be played on December 21, one each in Guwahati and Silchar.

Placed in Group D, last edition runners-up Dempo play Pune FC in Guwahati on December 22 while I-League champions Churchill Brothers take on the second qualifier on December 21 in Group C.

The two semifinals on December 30 and the final on January 3 will be played in Guwahati.

Two teams will make it to the Federation Cup final round from the second round of the qualifiers. The qualifying rounds will be held in Mumbai and Assam.

The winner of the tournament will qualify for next year's AFC Cup.

The Fixtures:

Group A: Silchar

Dec 22: East Bengal vs Viva Kerala; JCT vs Salgaocar SC

Dec 24: Viva Kerala vs JCT; Salgaocar SC vs East Bengal

Dec 27: East Bengal vs JCT; Viva Kerala vs Salgaocar SC

Group B: Guwahati

Dec 21: Mohun Bagan vs Qualifier II; Mahindra United vs Chirag United

Dec 23: Chirag United vs Mohun Bagan; Mahindra United vs Qualifier II

Dec 26: Chirag United vs Qualifier II; Mahindra United vs Mohun Bagan

Group C: Silchar

Dec 21: Churchill Brothers vs Qualifier I; Sporting Clube de Goa vs Mumbai FC