2nd Div NFL to kick-off in Goa and Kerala

New Delhi, Feb 4 (UNI) Altogether 12 teams will kick off their campaign in the Second Division ONGC National Football League to begin in Goa and Kerala from the last week of February.

The 12 teams, divided into two clusters---Kerala cluster and the Goa cluster, decided through draws will face off with each other at Vasco and Duler in Goa while the teams of Kerala Cluster will lock horns at Kochi and Calicut in Kerala.

Three teams from each group will progress to the preliminary round clusters.

Announcing the draws, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) General Secretary Alberto Colaco today said the Executive Committee has approved the participation of the 12 teams, among which Salgoacar Sports Club has been relegated from the first division NFL.

Two foreigners along with one player of Indian origin will be allowed to play from each team.

Mr Colaco said the final dates will be announced after consultations with local organisers, the Kerala Football Association and the Goa Football Association.

Indian Bank, Army XI, Salgaocar Sports Club, J&K Bank, Lajong Sports Club and Viva Kerala are pitched against each other in the Kerala Cluster while Vasco Sports Club, Punjab Police, State Bank of Travancore, ONGC, South Eastern Central Railway and Chirag United will battle it out in the Goa Cluster.

While ONGC was lucky to get a direct go ahead from the west due to absence of any hosts, J&K Bank, South Eastern Central Railway and Lajong Sports Club emerged the top teams from the North, East and the Northeast to play in the second Division National Football League.

UNI