Shillong Lajong FC have pulled out of the 117th IFA Shield 2013 due to unavoidable circumstances and they will be replaced by fellow I-League side Mumbai FC.

The Indian Football Association (IFA) has also released an updated fixtures list for the tournament, which will kick-off on March 3 as East Bengal Club take on Mumbai FC in the opening match according to the new schedule.

East Bengal, Mumbai FC, Prayag United SC and Bangalore’s Muktijoddha Sangsad KC will compete in Group A, while Mohun Bagan AC, Pune FC, Pailan Arrows and Costa Rican record champions Deportivo Saprissa U-23 will face each other in Group B.

The group matches will conclude on March 11 with both group winners and runners-up advancing to the semifinals. The dates for the semifinals and the final are yet to be finalised due to East Bengal’s AFC Cup 2013 campaign. East Bengal are scheduled to face Xuan Thanh Saigon FC from Vietnam in an AFC Cup 2013 Group H away match on March 13 and the IFA will announce the dates according to East Bengal’s progress in the IFA Shield.

The 117th IFA Shield 2013 Group A matches will be played in Siliguri, while the Group B matches will be hosted in Kalyani and the Saltlake Stadium.

GROUPS

Group A
East Bengal Club, Mumbai FC, Muktijoddha Sangsad KC, Prayag United SC

Group B
Mohun Bagan AC, Pune FC, Pailan Arrows, Deportivo Saprissa U-23 (Costa Rica)

FIXTURES

Group Matches
03.03.2013 | 14.30 IST | Group A | East Bengal Club – Mumbai FC
04.03.2013 | 15.00 IST | Group B | Deportivo Saprissa U-23 – Pune FC
05.03.2013 | 14.30 IST | Group A | Prayag United SC – Mumbai FC
05.03.2013 | 15.00 IST | Group B | Mohun Bagan AC – Pailan Arrows
06.03.2013 | 14.30 IST | Group A | East Bengal Club – Muktijoddha Sangsad KC
07.03.2013 | 15.00 IST | Group B | Mohun Bagan AC – Pune FC
08.03.2013 | 15.00 IST | Group B | Deportivo Saprissa U-23 – Pailan Arrows
08.03.2013 | 17.30 IST | Group A | East Bengal Club – Prayag United SC
09.03.2013 | 14.30 IST | Group A | Mumbai FC – Muktijoddha Sangsad KC
10.03.2013 | 15.00 IST | Group B | Mohun Bagan AC – Deportivo Saprissa U-23
10.03.2013 | 15.00 IST | Group B | Pune FC – Pailan Arrows
11.03.2013 | 14.30 IST | Group A | Prayag United SC – Muktijoddha Sangsad KC

Semifinals
??.03.2013 | ??.?? IST | Semifinal 1 | Winner Group A – Runners-Up Group B
??.03.2013 | ??.?? IST | Semifinal 2 | Winner Group B – Runners-Up Group A

Final
??.??.2013 | ??.?? IST | Final | Winner Semifinal 1 – Winner Semifinal 2