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  • Super Cup 2025 Final Preview: Unbeaten East Bengal FC Eye Return to Glory Against Defending Champions FC Goa

    Super Cup 2025 Final Preview: Unbeaten East Bengal FC Eye Return to Glory Against Defending Champions FC Goa

    The stage is set for a thrilling finale to the AIFF Super Cup 2025, as East Bengal FC prepare to face defending champions FC Goa in the title clash at the PJN Stadium in Fatorda (Kickoff: 7:30 PM).

    With a coveted spot in the 2026–27 AFC competitions on the line, the winners of the last two editions—East Bengal FC in 2024 and FC Goa in 2025—are determined to reclaim the Super Cup crown and become the first Indian club this season to secure continental qualification.

    Under Spanish head coach Óscar Bruzón, East Bengal have shown steady improvement as the tournament progressed. After a nervy 2–2 opening draw against Dempo SC, they bounced back emphatically with a commanding 4–0 victory over Chennaiyin FC. A composed 0–0 draw against arch-rivals Mohun Bagan SG, in a match they largely controlled, ensured the Red & Golds topped Group A and advanced to the semifinals.

    In the first semifinal, East Bengal defeated Punjab FC 3–1 with goals from Mohammed Rashid, Kevin Sibille, and captain Saul Crespo, securing their place in the Super Cup final for the third time after appearances in 2018 and 2024.

    Unbeaten so far, the Kolkata giants have scored nine goals—more than any other team in the competition. However, they will be without head coach Bruzón on the touchline for the final after he received two yellow cards and was sent off just before halftime in the semifinal.

    Manolo Márquez’s FC Goa, meanwhile, are striving to become the first club to successfully defend the Super Cup and clinch their third title, having previously won in 2019 and 2025.

    The Gaurs progressed from Group B with wins over Jamshedpur FC (2–0) and Inter Kashi (3–0), despite a setback against NorthEast United FC (1–2). They then edged Mumbai City FC 2–1 in the second semifinal, courtesy of quickfire first-half goals from Brison Fernandes and David Timor.

    At the pre-match press conference, East Bengal assistant coach Bino George stated:
    “East Bengal never enter a tournament just to participate. We always compete to win. FC Goa are the defending champions and we respect them, but we have prepared rigorously for this day and will give everything to bring the trophy back to Kolkata.”

    Captain Saul Crespo added:
    “Our preparations have been excellent and the team bonding is visible to everyone. We have one last hurdle ahead of us, and we will give our all to execute our game plan to perfection.”

    The match will be streamed live on JioHotstar and broadcast on Star Sports Khel.

  • Super Cup 2025 : FC Goa vs Mumbai City FC Semi-Final Preview

    Super Cup 2025 : FC Goa vs Mumbai City FC Semi-Final Preview

    The race for a place in the AIFF Super Cup 2025 final reaches boiling point on Thursday, December 4, 2025, with a high-stakes double-header in Fatorda, Goa. East Bengal FC face Punjab FC in the first semi-final at 16:00 IST, followed by defending champions FC Goa taking on Mumbai City FC at 20:00 IST at the PJN Stadium. Both matches will be broadcast on Star Sports Khel and streamed live on JioHotstar.

    FC Goa vs Mumbai City FC (20:00 IST)

    The second semi-final brings together two teams with contrasting momentum but identical ambitions. Mumbai City FC arrive after a long training block without competitive fixtures, while FC Goa come into the game battle-hardened from their AFC Champions League Two campaign. Beyond a spot in the final, both teams are fighting for a route back to continental football.

    East Bengal, Punjab FC Set for Blockbuster Super Cup Semi Final

    Mumbai City FC: “Heart, Character, Commitment”

    Head coach Petr Kratky expressed confidence in his squad’s preparation:

    “I’m very happy with the work we’ve done over the last few weeks. Goa are a very good team and in full rhythm because of the ACL Two, but we’ve prepared as best as possible.”

    This is Mumbai City’s third consecutive Super Cup semi-final, and midfielder Brandon Fernandes is targeting his first-ever final with the club.

    “It’s a massive semi-final for us. We want to reach the final and return to AFC competition — that’s our motivation.”

    Will Joy Gupta Play Super Cup 2025 Semifinal?

    Kratky emphasized Mumbai City’s attacking identity:

    “We want to play aggressive, attacking football — the style Mumbai is known for. We are building an environment where every player is ready and important. What matters is heart, character, and commitment.”

    Facing his former team, Fernandes added:

    “The past is the past. Tomorrow is about the present. Goa is my former club, but my focus is on helping Mumbai win.”

    FC Goa: Battle-Hardened but Weary

    FC Goa head coach Manolo Márquez acknowledged that his squad is navigating a unique situation:

    East Bengal coach Oscar Bruzon Weighs Defensive Options Ahead of Semifinal

    “We are training more and playing more because of the AFC Champions League Two, but the long gaps between matches make it mentally demanding. Still, strong matches are better preparation than training alone.”

    Defender Ronney Wilson Kharbudon, who made his debut against Al Nassr earlier this season, echoed his coach’s sentiments:

    “Playing such matches helps every player improve. Training has been good since we returned from Iraq. We’re focused and want to reach the final.”

    A Fixture Known for Goals

    Whenever FC Goa and Mumbai City FC meet, entertainment is guaranteed — 16 goals in their last five meetings. Mumbai City enjoyed a 10-game unbeaten run against Goa before the Gaurs ended it with a 3–1 win in Mumbai last February.

    Márquez expects another high-quality encounter:

    “Every competition is different. Mumbai City are one of the biggest teams in the ISL, with strong foreigners and national team players. Both teams like attacking, possession football. It should be a good match, but in football, you never know.”

  • East Bengal, Punjab FC Set for Blockbuster Super Cup Semi Final

    East Bengal, Punjab FC Set for Blockbuster Super Cup Semi Final

    The race to reach the AIFF Super Cup 2025 final intensifies on Thursday, December 4, 2025, as four heavyweights East Bengal FC, Punjab FC, FC Goa and Mumbai City FC gear up for a high-stakes double-header semi-final at the PJN Stadium, Fatorda, Goa.

    The action begins at 16:00 IST with a clash between 2024 champions East Bengal FC and first-time semi-finalists Punjab FC. Later, at 20:00 IST, defending champions FC Goa face Mumbai City FC. Both matches will be broadcast on Star Sports Khel and streamed on JioHotstar.

    Will Joy Gupta Play Super Cup 2025 Semifinal?

    Semi-final 1: East Bengal FC vs Punjab FC (16:00 IST)

    Both teams arrive with momentum after navigating two of the competition’s toughest groups.
    East Bengal sealed their spot with a gritty 0–0 draw against rivals Mohun Bagan SG, while Punjab FC advanced after a dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Bengaluru FC, having produced an identical defensive record with no goals conceded in the group stage.

    Bruzon: “We trust our identity and game model.”

    East Bengal head coach Óscar Bruzón highlighted the long-term preparation behind his team’s campaign:

    “Our preparation has been ongoing for months. We started training in July, played pre-season tournaments, and integrated new players. This helped us build automatisms and collective understanding. We feel mature in what we do, and tomorrow we must bring that onto the pitch.”

    Full-back Jay Gupta also emphasised the team’s motivation:

    “This tournament offers a spot in Asia, something our fans truly deserve. We’re fully prepared and excited to get on the pitch.”

    East Bengal coach Oscar Bruzon Weighs Defensive Options Ahead of Semifinal

    Respect for Punjab’s defence

    Punjab FC’s defensive solidity has been one of the stories of the tournament. When asked about possible weaknesses, Bruzón maintained a respectful but cautious tone:

    “We have huge respect for Punjab. They haven’t conceded once. They’re aggressive, compact, and strong in transitions. We expect changes from them — new players, substitutions, maybe even a different system.”

    On handling pressure and expectations from East Bengal’s massive fan base, Bruzón added:

    “At East Bengal, if you don’t understand what it means to be part of this club, the job becomes difficult. We play with hunger and commitment. Thinking about the final or Asia now would distract us.”

    Punjab FC: Calm, confident, and ready

    Punjab FC head coach Panagiotis Dilmperis expressed confidence in his squad’s preparation:

    “After qualifying, the players got a deserved break. Then we had three and a half weeks of full training and friendlies to fine-tune the team.”

    Midfielder Leon Augustine echoed the positive mood:

    “We’ve worked hard and had a good run in the group stage. The long training period helped. There’s no pressure on us — East Bengal are a good team, but we’re ready.”

    Dilmperis on East Bengal and knockout football

    Despite East Bengal defeating Punjab twice last ISL season — including a 4–2 comeback victory in Kolkata — Dilmperis remained measured:

    “East Bengal are strong in every department. We respect them.”

    On Punjab’s defensive focus, he added:

    “A clean sheet is crucial in knockout football — it helps in extra time or penalties. We’d love to have possession, but we’re ready for any scenario.”

  • Uncertainty Over ISL Worries FC Goa’s Borja Herrera

    Uncertainty Over ISL Worries FC Goa’s Borja Herrera

    Since the start of this season, there has been uncertainty surrounding the Indian Super League (ISL). Although the FSDL has been in charge of the country’s top-division league for the past ten years, they have been largely inactive this season. However, there were hopes that perhaps a new organization might take over the responsibility this time. Accordingly, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) had initially set the deadline for submitting bids as November 5. Later, following multiple requests from different organizations, the federation’s tender committee extended the deadline to November 7.

    আইএসএল নিয়ে ধোঁয়াশা, আশঙ্কায় বোরহা হেরেরা

     

    It was expected that either the FSDL or some other organization might submit a bid, but that did not happen. As a result, the future of India’s top-division league currently remains in deep uncertainty. Notably, since last Friday, Mohun Bagan Super Giant announced that they would suspend team training indefinitely. Additionally, several other top-division clubs have become largely inactive in forming their squads, causing widespread concern.

    Amid this, Spanish star Borja Herrera has publicly expressed his concern on social media. Sharing several photos of himself playing in the FC Goa jersey, he wrote, “In the absence of the ISL (it seems the situation is getting worse every day), we are still enjoying the Champions League even after defeats.” His comments have drawn significant attention from fans.

    Recently, FC Goa played the second leg of the ACL 2 against Al Nassr, where they faced a heavy defeat against João Félix’s side. Despite limited resources, their fighting spirit caught the attention of football enthusiasts. Maintaining continuity in international tournaments, the team also aims to target the Super Cup victory under the guidance of Manolo Márquez.

     

  • Super Cup 2025 : FC Goa Eye Successive Wins Against Inter Kashi

    Super Cup 2025 : FC Goa Eye Successive Wins Against Inter Kashi

    Reigning Super Cup champions FC Goa will look to build on their impressive start to the tournament when they face Inter Kashi at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on Wednesday, October 29, 2025. The match kicks off at 7:30 PM IST.

    The Gaurs opened their title defence with a confident win over Jamshedpur FC, the very team they defeated in last season’s final, setting the tone for another strong campaign. Head coach Manolo Marquez will now aim to guide his side to back-to-back victories and move a step closer to the knockout stages.

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    Newly promoted ISL side Inter Kashi, the I-League 2024–25 champions, showed their mettle in their opening fixture, holding NorthEast United FC to a spirited draw. Despite being newcomers to the top tier, the Kashi-based outfit demonstrated organization, energy, and resilience — qualities that could trouble any opponent, including the defending champions.

    For FC Goa, this fixture is another opportunity to make home advantage count. With Fatorda once again hosting the action, the Gaurs are expected to rely on their trademark possession-based football, high pressing, and attacking creativity to break down a confident Inter Kashi side.

    With the group stage schedule packed and qualification spots at a premium, a second straight win would not only cement FC Goa’s control over Group B but also ease their path toward another deep run in the competition.