Kolkata clubs turn to Siliguri to host the potential Derbies in Federation Cup semis

THE UNAVAILABILITY OF the Salt Lake Stadium has triggered a venue crisis for clubs in West Bengal, and one place that is gaining a lot from this situation is Siliguri.

East Bengal, buoyed by the great support they received from the local population during the Kolkata Derby held on 2nd April, want to host some of their Federation Cup home games at the North Bengal town, despite the Kanchenjunga Stadium's turf and other facilities being universally criticised as below-par.

Mohun Bagan, who chose Siliguri as their home ground after being denied adequate secuirty arrangements at Barasat on 23rd April due to the area going into polls on 25th, are also considering Siliguri as a potential venue for the Federation Cup.

Both clubs have picked Barasat as the venue for their home legs of the quarter finals, scheduled to take place on 4th and 5th May. But they are leaning towards Siliguri as both clubs are going to face each other in the semi-finals if they win their respective quarter final ties.

The Barasat Stadium is considered to be ill-equipped to host a high voltage match like the Kolkata Derby. And since the 2nd April's Derby was held without any reports of major violence in Siliguri, the clubs are feeling encouraged to host at least one and maybe both the potential Derby matches at the Kanchenjunga Stadium.

East Bengal are supposed to be looking to play their home leg of the semi-final at Siliguri regardless of whether it is a Derby or not.

So it seems Siliguri will get to host at least one Federation Cup match, provided the Kolkata clubs make it past their quarter final ties.

East Bengal have been paired with Shillong Lajong in the Fed Cup quarters, while Mohun Bagan are going to face Salgaocar FC. The fixtures were decided based on the clubs' position in the final I-League table