Uruguay's Central Espanol could compete with Kolkata’s Big Two in a pre-season tournament

Photo Credit: Kingfisher East Bengal Club

The sports council of the West Bengal government is planning to organise a pre-season tournament involving the Big Two of Kolkata – Mohun Bagan & East Bengal – and Uruguay top flight outfit Central Espanol Futbol Club.

Talks are in place to have the three-team tournament between August 7 and 17 with matches in Siliguri, Barasat and Kolkata. ‘Bengal Cup’ could be the possible name of the event and it would serve as the perfect preparation for East Bengal and Mohun Bagan ahead of the 2013-14 I-League which starts from September 20.

Formed in 1905, Central Espanol is based in Uruguay’s capital Montevideo and their only top flight title came in 1984. They finished 11th in the 16-team domestic league in the 2012-13 campaign.

In the past, several foreign clubs have played in India, especially the IFA Shield. But on most occasions we have seen clubs participating with their second string team like Botafogo (Brazil) and Deportivo Saprissa (Costa Rica) in the last two editions of the IFA Shield. So it remains to be seen whether Central Espanol will bring their first team squad.

The possible format for the tournament will be each team facing each other in a round robin league with the top two meeting in the final. The opening match is likely to be between East Bengal and Central Espanol at the newly laid artificial turf of the Barasat Stadium.

While the Espnaol – Mohun Bagan fixture will be played at Siliguri’s Kanchenjunga Stadium, which hosted the Federation Cup last year.

The biggest attraction of this possible pre-season meet will be the first big Kolkata derby of the season. The arch-rivals will face off at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata with the final also expected to take place there.