The Independence Cup football, season’s inaugural tournament, will kick off on Friday with three matches taking place on the opening day at different venues.
One of the services team Bangladesh Police will face off the Gopibagh outfit Brothers Union at Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium, Munshiganj. In the other two outings Dhaka Abahani will take on another services team Bangladesh Air Force Football Team at Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni Stadium in Gopalganj. Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra will meet Rahmatganj Muslim Friends Society at the Bashundhara Kings Arena.
As all the construction works of the main football venue of the country, Bangabandhu National Stadium BFF had to pick other venues.
Independence Cup football was on the field with qualifying round from October 20 when the round Robin League will complete on November 3. After the first round, the tournament will have a break for few days for the World Cup qualifying and AFC match of Bashundhara Kings. The top two teams from each group will qualify in the knock out stage.
A total of 13 teams, 10 from Bangladesh Premier League and three qualified teams- split into four groups, will take part in the tournament. Three teams in three groups and four in one group. Dhaka Abahani Limited and Sheikh Russel are in Group-B. The other two teams of the group Rahmatganj Muslim and Friend Society and Bangladesh Air Force football team.
The round Robin League will complete on November 3. After the first round the tournament will stop for some days for the World Cup qualifying and AFC match for Bashundhara Kings.
The Groups are as follows:
Group-A: Bangladesh Police FC, Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club and Brothers Union
Group-B: Dhaka Abahani, Sheikh Russel KC, Rahmatganj Muslim Friends Society, and Bangladesh Air Force Football Team
Group-C: Mohammedan Sporting Club, Fortis Football Club, and Bangladesh Army Football team
Group-D: Bashundhara Kings, Chittagong Abahani, and Bangladesh Navy Football team.
