Crucial Sporting-AI match venue, date yet to be decided by AIFF
HERALD SPORTS REPORTER
PANJIM, MARCH 31
Dempo will take on Mohammedan Sporting on April 2 in a Round XXI match of ONGC I-League at Nehru stadium, Fatorda. Tail-enders Vasco will meet Mohun Bagan also on April 2 in Kolkata
In final Round XXII, Churchill Bros will face Mohammedan Sporting at Nehru stadium, Fatorda; Air India will take on Sporting Clube de Goa in Mumbai or Delhi on April 16 or 17 or 23; East Bengal will clash with Dempo in Kolkata; Mahindra United will meet Mohun Bagan in Mumbai or Gurgaon on April 16 or 17 or 23, JCT face Mumbai Football Club in Ludhiana and Vasco will play Chirag at Nehru stadium, Fatorda.
Dempo will meet Mohun Bagan on April 12 (round XVII match) in Kolkata and only then a clearer picture would emerge from amongst the top contenders for the coveted title.
There was a plan to shift the last round Mumbai matches to Delhi and Gurgao due to the general elections in Maharashtra and the Sporting-Air India and Mohun Bagan-Mahindra United matches planned to be played on the same day but at two different venues.
The exact venues and dates are expected to be announced by AIFF after a meeting, since Air India has sought postponement of their match to either April 23, 24 or 25, with the venue remaining in Mumbai since it is their home match and acting AIFF president, Praful Patel, who is a representative of WIFA, is under pressure not to shift the match from Mumbai.
The AIFF meeting is learnt to have been scheduled for April 7 to decide on the dates and venues.
