KOLKATA: The semi-finalists of the inaugural AIFF U-15 Youth League, Mohammedan Sporting Club will start their Kolkata Zonal Round campaign of the 2016/17 AIFF U-16 League on Saturday against United Sports Club.

The league saw daylight as U-15 Youth League last season. However, has been repackaged as U-16 League this season – where over 50 teams from all over India would be participating – keeping in mind the upcoming FIFA U-17 World Cup to be held in India next year.

Previous season, Mohammedan SC had a remarkable run in the Kolkata Zonal Round finishing at second place with 19 points from 10 games. In the final round the youngsters topped their group after beating the likes of Pune FC and Salgaocar FC before losing to the eventual winners of the league Minerva Academy FC in the semi-finals.

This season a total number of six teams are participating in the league from Kolkata. The participating teams – Mohammedan SC, Southern Samity, United SC, SAI Kolkata, Mohun Bagan and East Bengal – will play against each other on a home-and-away basis (two legs), and top two teams will advance to the Final Round. Last year United SC and Mohammedan SC qualified for the Final Round from Kolkata Zone and both made it to the knock-out stages.

Mohammedan Sporting Club’s fixtures in the Kolkata Zonal Round is as follows:

24/9/2016 – Mohammedan SC vs United SC (Home).
2/10/2016 – Mohammedan SC vs Southern Samity (Away).
16/10/2016 – Mohammedan SC vs SAI Kolkata (Home).
23/10/2016 – Mohammedan SC vs East Bengal (Home).
6/11/2016 – Mohammedan SC vs SAI Kolkata (Away).
13/11/2016 – Mohammedan SC vs United SC (Away).
20/11/2016 – Mohammedan SC vs Southern Samity (Home).
26/11/2016 – Mohammedan SC vs Mohun Bagan (Away).
3/12/2016 – Mohammedan SC vs East Bengal (Away).
10/12/2016 – Mohammedan SC vs Mohun Bagan (Home).

Mohammedan Sporting Club will play their home games at Mohammedan Sporting Ground and kick-off at 2.30 pm.