PANAJI: During the unveiling of the Durand Cup trophies last month, the anchor told a rather beguiling but largely mythical story of how a husband shows up for a football game in Goa, and when questioned about the empty seat inside a packed stadium, reveals it was reserved for his wife, whose funeral he had given a miss to be at the game. While that may sound romantic, those days of unbridled support to the beautiful game, even if it was true, are long gone.

There is, however, no denying that there is a certain charm to football in Goa and it's one reason why organizers of the Durand Cup decided to shift the world's third oldest football tournament out of Delhi for the first time since 1940.

Started in 1888, the Durand Cup, Asia's oldest football tournament, is no longer the magnet it used to be to attract top teams from India. In Goa, for example, Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan and East Bengal have both stayed away for varied reasons, and Dempo Sports Club do not have a good enough team to compete with the best in business after loaning 16 players to FC Goa to the Indian Super League.

But, for those who will be trooping into the Raia sports complex - entry is free - there is still plenty on offer. I-League champions Bengaluru FC are keen to grab their first trophy of the season and are looking good after successful pre-season tour of China. Pune FC, coached by Karim Bencherifa, will be eager to make themselves count, while I-League regulars Salgaocar FC and Sporting Clube de Goa can also be counted among the favourites.

"We are gunning for the title. No doubt about that," said Sporting coach Oscar Bruzon whose side will meet United Sports Club in the opening quarterfinal league game on Wednesday.

Sporting have not had the best of starts to the season and are struggling in the Goa Pro League. They need a win in their final game against Churchill Brothers to stay among the top five, but Oscar believes the team will show its true colours in the Durand Cup.

The Durand Cup comes right in the middle of the Indian Super League (ISL), Indian football's glamour version. But while the ISL has Bollywood stars, entertainment and marquee players to attract the crowd, Durand organizers will count on its rich history, besides, of course, the parachute drops by para commandos of the Indian Army, para motors and fly past by Indian Air Force fighter planes. Whatever you choose, it's hard to be left disappointed.