The 2014 Federation Cup will be the 35th edition of India’s Premier Cup Competition whose curtains are drawn open with two Goan teams Churchill Bros. and Dempo Sports Club opening the prestigious tournament today. In vogue since 1977, the inaugural edition group and knockout tournament was won by Indian Telephone Industries (ITI) Bangalore who edged Mohun Bagan by a solitary goal.
Since then, the Mariners have come a long way in the meet winning the coveted Trophy the most number of times (13).
Mohun Bagan’s arch-rivals East Bengal have won the Federation Cup eight times while Salagaocar have won it on four occasions. Mohammedam Sporting, JCT, Mahindra United and Kerala Police have won the Trophy twice while ITI Banaglore, Dempo and BSF have been crowned Champions once.
From 1996 to 2007 the Tournament was played in a knockout format with the Teams playing on the basis of invitation.
From 2008 though the format came back to its original form, which is group and knockout. The Competition was not held in 1999 and 2000.
East Bengal, who also clinched the crown back on debut in 1978, are the Defending Champions. The red and gold brigade won the Tournament in Siliguri last time getting the better of Dempo by a 3-2 margin.
The 35th edition will see thirteen I-League and Second Division Teams wrest it out for top honours. One team from the four Groups will play the Semi Finals whose winners which thereby vie for the crown in the summit clash. The Winners will get Rs. 25 lakhs while the Runners-up will pocket Rs. 15 lakh.
Kochi and Manjeri are the two venues for the Group stages with the Semifinal and Final to be held in Cochin, Kerala.
The Herald brings to its readers a curtain raiser of the Goan clubs participating at the Federation Cup beginning today with Churchill Brothers Sports Club and Dempo Sports Club.
LEADING GOAL SCORERS IN FEDERATION CUP HISTORY
1) Jose Ramires Barreto – 27 goals
2) Chima Okorie – 26 goals*
3) Baichung Bhutia – 25 goals
4) Chidi Edeh – 23 goals
5) Ranti Martins – 18 goals
6) IM Vijayan – 17 goals
7) Odafa Okolie – 17 goals
NB – * Includes 7 goals scored in Eastern Zone Qualifiers at Sibsagar – 1990 Federation Cup
