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East Bengal and Shillong Lajong to kick-off the 117th IFA Shield 2013

IFA Shield

The 117th IFA Shield 2013 will kick-off on March 4, when East Bengal Club take on Shillong Lajong FC in the opening match of the prestigious tournament.

East Bengal and Shillong Lajong have been drawn to Group A along with Prayag United SC and Bangalore’s Muktijoddha Sangsad KC, while Mohun Bagan AC, Pune FC, Pailan Arrows and Costa Rican record champions Deportivo Saprissa S.A.D. will face each other in Group B.

The IFA has disclosed that the 117th IFA Shield 2013 champions would receive a prize money of Rs. 2,5 Million (25 lakhs). The runners-up will be awarded Rs. 1,5 Million (15 lakhs) and the losing semifinalists would receive Rs. 500,000 (5 lakhs).

The group matches will conclude on March 10 with both group winners and runners-up advancing to the semifinals. The dates for the semifinals and the final are yet to be finalised due to East Bengal’s AFC Cup 2013 campaign.

East Bengal are scheduled to face Xuan Thanh Saigon FC from Vietnam in an AFC Cup 2013 Group H away match on March 13 and the IFA will announce the dates according to East Bengal’s progress in the IFA Shield.

The 117th IFA Shield 2013 Group A matches will be played in Siliguri, while the Group B matches will be hosted in Kalyani and the Saltlake Stadium.

NewsTime Bangla has been appointed as the official television partner and the Bengali channel are scheduled to broadcast various matches live.

GROUPS

Group A
East Bengal Club, Shillong Lajong FC, Muktijoddha Sangsad KC, Prayag United SC

Group B
Mohun Bagan AC, Pune FC, Pailan Arrows, Deportivo Saprissa S.A.D. (Costa Rica)

FIXTURES

Group Matches
04.03.2013 | 14.30 IST | Group A | East Bengal Club – Shillong Lajong FC
05.03.2013 | 14.30 IST | Group A | Prayag United SC – Muktijoddha Sangsad KC
05.03.2013 | 15.00 IST | Group B | Deportivo Saprissa – Pune FC
06.03.2013 | 15.00 IST | Group B | Mohun Bagan AC – Pailan Arrows
07.03.2013 | 14.30 IST | Group A | Prayag United SC – Shillong Lajong FC
07.03.2013 | 18.30 IST | Group A | East Bengal Club – Muktijoddha Sangsad KC
08.03.2013 | 15.00 IST | Group B | Mohun Bagan AC – Pune FC
08.03.2013 | 15.00 IST | Group B | Deportivo Saprissa – Pailan Arrows
09.03.2013 | 15.00 IST | Group A | East Bengal Club – Prayag United SC
10.03.2013 | 14.30 IST | Group A | Shillong Lajong FC – Muktijoddha Sangsad KC
10.03.2013 | 15.00 IST | Group B | Mohun Bagan AC – Deportivo Saprissa
10.03.2013 | 15.00 IST | Group B | Pune FC – Pailan Arrows

Semifinals
??.03.2013 | ??.?? IST | Semifinal 1 | Winner Group A – Runners-Up Group B
??.03.2013 | ??.?? IST | Semifinal 2 | Winner Group B – Runners-Up Group A

Final
??.??.2013 | ??.?? IST | Final | Winner Semifinal 1 – Winner Semifinal 2