The 134th edition of the Durand Cup is heating up as the quarterfinal stage arrives, with matches scheduled across four cities on August 16 and 17. This year's tournament is organized by the Indian Army on behalf of the three Services. The quarterfinal match-ups promise high-intensity contests as teams battle for a place in the semi-finals.

The quarterfinal action begins on August 16 with Shillong Lajong FC hosting Indian Navy FT at the Jawahar Lal Nehru (JLN) Stadium in Shillong. Later that day, Bodoland FC will face defending champions NorthEast United FC at the SAI Stadium in Kokrajhar. The remaining quarterfinal matches on August 17 include Jamshedpur FC against Diamond Harbour FC at the JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur, and Mohun Bagan Super Giant versus East Bengal in the Kolkata Derby at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK).

Shillong Lajong FC vs Indian Navy FT

Shillong Lajong FC, an I-League side, will kick off the quarterfinal stage against Indian Navy FT. The match will take place on August 16 at 4:00 PM IST at the Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium in Shillong. Shillong Lajong qualified for the knockouts as one of the best second-placed teams after finishing as runners-up in Group E. In their group stage matches, Shillong Lajong had a strong win over Rangdajied United and a narrow defeat to NorthEast United. Their attacking prowess has been evident, averaging over two goals per game, with Everbrightson Sana and Phrangki Buam being central to their offensive rhythm.

Indian Navy FT topped Group F with seven points, showcasing solid and disciplined play. They secured their spot in the knockouts on August 12. The match is expected to be a clash between Lajong's quick, attacking football and the Navy's well-organized defense. Home support could give Lajong an edge, but the Navy will aim to silence the local crowd.

Bodoland FC vs NorthEast United FC

In another exciting quarterfinal match, Bodoland FC will face defending champions NorthEast United FC at the SAI Stadium in Kokrajhar on August 16 at 7:00 PM IST. Bodoland FC, a first-time quarterfinalist, had a perfect record in Group D. They secured their historic quarter-final spot by defeating ITBP FT 4-0. Key players for Bodoland FC include Timothi Narzary, Pedro Astray, and Gwgwmsar Gayary.

NorthEast United FC advanced to the quarterfinals as Group E winners with two wins and a draw. They are the defending champions, having won the Durand Cup last year. Despite being held to a 2-2 draw by Rangdajied United in their final group-stage match, NorthEast United is still considered the favorite. Bodoland FC will need to bring their best game to upset the defending champions, but they will have strong support from the home crowd. This match is an all-Assam clash.

All matches will be broadcast live on the Sony Sports Network (Sony Ten 2 HD) and streamed on SonyLiv. The semi-finals will be hosted in Shillong on August 19 and in Kolkata's VYBK on August 20, with the final to be held at the VYBK on August 23.