The Second Division of the National Football League will kick-off with Churchill Brothers and Indian Bank taking on less fancied opponents in their opening matches on February 27.
Churchill Brothers, Goa, who were relegated last year, face Ever-Ready Association, West Bengal in their Group A tie at Jamshedpur while the bankers play Army XI in the Group B at Bangalore, a statement from the All India Football Federation on Thursday said.
As many as 30 encounters, 15 each in Group A at Jamshedpur and Group B at Bangalore, will be witnessed in the tournament, to be played till February 13.
The top three finishers qualify for the next round.
Teams:
Group A: State Bank of Travancore (Kerala), Punjab Police, Ever Ready Assn (West Bengal), Churchill Brothers (Goa), Tata Football Academy (Jharkhand), Shimla Youngs (Delhi).
Group B: Army XI (SSCB), Assam Rifles (Assam), Tollygunge Agragami (West Bengal), Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, Bangalore (Karnataka), Vasco S C (Goa), Indian Bank (Chennai).