the qualifiers will start from 11 september to 16 september 2012 and will consist of 6 teams, 5 of which played in the 2012 i-league 2nd division final round and the other one being hal sporting club who were relegated from the 2011–12 i-league season. all 6 teams are divided into two groups of 3. the top team from each group moves on to the cup proper.