JCT paly Vasco in the Federation Cup opener on Sept. 4

New Delhi, Aug 23 (UNI) Hosts JCT face Vasco Sports Club in the inaugural match on September 4 while holders Mohun Bagan will open their campaign against ONGC two days later in the 29th Federation Cup football tournament at Ludhiana..

Sixteen teams 10 from the last NFL first division and six from the second division NFL are vying for top honours in the competition to be held at Guru Nanak Stadium from September 4 to 15.

Last year's runners-up Sporting Clube de Goa lock horns witth Army XI on September 5 while NFL champions Dempo Sports Club will play Chirag United on September 7.

The winner of the Federation Cup will qualify for the 2008 AFC Cup Asia's second tier club competition. If Dempo win the Cup, then JCT, which finished second in the NFL will qualify for the AFC Cup.

The total prize money for the tournament will be Rs 20 lakhs. The winners will take away Rs 10 lakh while the runners-up will pocket Rs six lakh. The two semi-finalists will receive Rs one lakh each.

Schedule: Pre-Quarter-finals: 1. Sept. 4: JCT vs Vasco Sports Club (1600 hrs) 2. Sept. 4: Mohammaden Sporting vs East Bengal (1900 hrs) 3. Sept 5: Sporting Club de Goa vs Army XI (1600 hrs) 4. Sept. 5: Mahindra United vs Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (1900 hrs) 5. Sept. 6: Air India vs Viva Kerala (1600 hrs) 6. Sept. 6: Mohun bagan vs ONGC (1900 hrs) 7. Sept. 7: Dempo vs Chirag United (1600 hrs) 8. Sept. 7: Salgaocar vs Churchill Brothers (1900 hrs) Quarter-finals: A. Winner of 3 vs Winner of 4 (Sept. 8 1900 hrs) B. Winner of 1 vs Winner of 2 (Sept. 9 1900 hrs) C. Winner of 5 vs Winner of 6 (Sept. 9 1600 hrs) D. Winner of 7 vs Winner of 8 (Sept. 10 1900 hrs) Semi-finals: Sept. 11: B vs C 1900 hrs Sept. 12: A vs D 1900 hrs Final: Sept. 15 1830 hrs UNI PDS BJR RK2340