Mohammedan Sporting will not be satisfied with anything less than a win when they take on Kidderpore SC on the opening day of the IFA Shield on Sunday.

The spotlight will be on the four I-League teams — Kerala FC, Real Kashmir FC, Indian Arrows and Mohammedan Sporting — in the 123rd edition of the once-prestigious tournament that has since lost some of its lustre.

With the I-League set to be played in venues across Bengal, the Shield will help the outstation teams familiarise themselves with the conditions in the state.

Apart from the Mohammedan Sporting match at the Salt Lake Stadium, the opening day would also see Real Kashmir take on Peerless SC at the East Bengal ground, Indian Arrows lock horns with Southern Samity at the Mohun Bagan ground and Kerala FC face United Sports at Kalyani Stadium.

All the matches would be played behind closed doors.

Mohammedan Sporting’s new coach, Jose Hevia, is upbeat about a good start. “The preparations have gone well. I know the expectations are very high, but we will think of nothing less than a win when we take on Kidderpore SC on Sunday,” Hevia said.

“The IFA Shield is important for the confidence of the team,” he added.

The best player of the IFA Shield will get an award named after Chuni Goswami, and the best coach of the meet will get the PK Banerjee Trophy.