Independence Cup starts November 27

The 11th edition of the Independence Cup will kick off on November 27, Bangladesh Football Federation announced on Wednesday.

All the matches of the tournament will take place at the Bir Shrestha Shahid Shipahi Mohammad Mostofa Kamal Stadium in Kamalapur, Dhaka instead of the Bangabandhu National Stadium as the latter is currently being renovated.

The first match of the tournament will be played between Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra and Uttar Baridhara on November 27.

15 teams will take part in the tournament, including football teams of Bangladesh Air Force, Bangladesh Army, and Bangladesh Navy.

Group A has three teams- Dhaka Abahani Ltd, Rahamatgani MFS, and Swadhinata Krira Sangha.

Lt Sheikh Jamal DC Ltd, Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra Ltd, Uttar Baridhara, and Bangladesh Air Force Football Team are in Group B.

In Group C, Saif Sporting Club Ltd will be accompanied by Mohammedan Sporting Club Ltd, Bangladesh Muktijoddha SKC, and Bangladesh Army Football Team.

Defending champions Bashundhara Kings are in Group D, along with Chittagong Abahani Ltd, Bangladesh Police FC, and Bangladesh Navy football team.

Two teams from each group will go through to the quarter-finals. The quarter-finals will be held on December 10 and December 12, with the semi-finals scheduled for December 14.

The final of the tournament will be held on December 18.

In the last edition in 2018, Bashundhara Kings beat Sheikh Russel KC in the final to lift their first-ever Independence Cup.

The first edition of the Independence Cup was held in 1972, where Dhaka Mohammedan were crowned champions.