Reliance Foundation Development League 2024 started with the regional qualifiers involving 62 teams from which 20 made it to the tournament’s group stage. Teams were divided into four groups with only the top-placed sides from each group making it to the National Championship. Bengaluru FC, Muthoot FA, East Bengal FC and Punjab FC are the teams that have progressed to this round. Side by side, the clubs have progressed to the 2024 Next Gen Cup.
The four sides will battle it out to become the RFDL 2024 winners. The holders Bengaluru FC, also Group A winners, are set to battle with Group B winners Muthoot FA in the first semi-final. Whereas C and D victors, East Bengal and Punjab FC will meet in the other. The semi-finals will be played on 14 May 2024 with the third-place game two days later. The RFDL 2024 final is scheduled for Saturday, May 18, 2024. All games will be held at the Reliance Corporate Park in Navi Mumbai.
Teams in Semi Finals
Bengaluru FC
Defending champions Bengaluru FC edged over Reliance’s Young Champs team to establish themselves as group winners. Both teams earned 10 points from the four matches in the National group stage, without suffering defeat, but the Blues ended with a better goal difference by conceding one fewer than the runners-up. Bengaluru FC have made it to this stage each time since the competition was founded two years ago, ending as champions and competing in the Next Gen Cup.
Muthoot FA
The same situation occurred between Muthoot FA and Roots FC in Group B. Strikingly, the duo did not concede a single goal in the group stage and were five points better than the rest of the pack. Muthoot FA clinched the top spot by scoring the most goals in the group stage and has qualified for the National Championship for the first time. The Kochi-based academy has also qualified for their maiden Next Gen Cup campaign.
East Bengal FC
Also joining them for the first time will be East Bengal FC, the second side from Kolkata after Mohun Bagan Super Giant to represent at this stage. The Red and Gold topped their group chart by winning three out of four matches and finished two points ahead of second-placed Home Mission FC. They were the second-most scorer in the group and conceded the least amount of goals with only two.
Punjab FC
The final team to qualify for the National Football Championship is Group D winners Punjab FC. The Shares are also making their debut at this stage of the competition. They topped their group by edging Sudeva Delhi FC on goal difference with both ending on the same points. Punjab FC conceded merely one goal in the group stage proving their solidity the main reason behind their qualification.
RFDL 2024 Fixtures
Tuesday, 14 May 2024
Semi-final 1: Bengaluru FC vs Punjab FC (17:00)
Semi-final 2: Muthoot FA vs East Bengal FC (20:00)
Friday, 17 May 2024
Third-Place Playoff: Semi-final 1 losers vs Semi-final 2 losers (18:00)
Saturday, 18 May 2024
Final: Semi-final 1 winners vs Semi-final 2 winners (18:00)
