Tag: Indian Super Cup

  • East Bengal Storm Into Super Cup Final With Commanding 3–1 Win Over Punjab FC

    East Bengal Storm Into Super Cup Final With Commanding 3–1 Win Over Punjab FC

    East Bengal booked their place in the AIFF Super Cup final for the third time with a composed and clinical 3–1 victory over Punjab FC at the PJN Stadium in Fatorda, Goa, on Thursday, December 4, 2025. The triumph also marks the club’s second major final of the season, following their narrow loss to Mohun Bagan SG in the IFA Shield.

    The Kolkata giants started brightly and took the lead in the 12th minute through Mohamad Bashim Rashid. A rehearsed short-corner routine saw Miguel Ferreira’s delivery only partially cleared, and the ball fell invitingly to Rashid at the edge of the area. The Maldivian midfielder controlled superbly before drilling a low shot that slipped under goalkeeper Muheet Shabir’s glove—his first goal for the club.

    Punjab FC responded with urgency and were rewarded in the 34th minute. A mishap in the East Bengal box saw Ricky Shabong’s clearing header rebound off Bipin Singh’s arm, prompting the referee to award a penalty. Daniel Ramirez converted confidently, sending Prabhsukhan Singh Gill the wrong way to level the score.

    But East Bengal regained control at a crucial moment, striking just before the interval. Deep into first-half stoppage time, Miguel Ferreira delivered another pinpoint corner, and defender Kevin Sibille rose highest to nod home a powerful header. The goal sparked jubilant celebrations, which also saw head coach Oscar Bruzon receive a second yellow card for overexuberance.

    After the break, East Bengal tightened their grip on the contest. Bipin Singh and Hiroshi Ibusuki both came close to extending the lead, but it was captain Saul Crespo who delivered the decisive blow in the 71st minute. Once again, Ferreira was the architect—slaloming past multiple defenders before laying the ball off for Crespo, who placed a tidy left-footed finish into the bottom corner.

    Punjab FC struggled to break down East Bengal’s disciplined defensive structure in the closing stages. Their best late opportunity came when Ramirez threaded a pass to Bede Amarachi Osuji, but the Nigerian forward’s effort was comfortably saved by Gill.

    East Bengal nearly added further gloss to the scoreline when Ferreira danced past defenders again, only to fire narrowly wide. Nevertheless, the Red and Gold brigade held firm until the final whistle, celebrating a well-earned spot in yet another major final.

    With momentum and confidence on their side, Oscar Bruzon’s men now turn their focus to lifting the coveted AIFF Super Cup trophy.

  • Kerala Blasters Crash Out as Mumbai City Reach Super Cup 2025 Semifinals

    Kerala Blasters Crash Out as Mumbai City Reach Super Cup 2025 Semifinals

    Kerala Blasters FC Super Cup 2025 journey came to an unfortunate end following a narrow 0–1 defeat to Mumbai City FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on Thursday. A late own goal in the 88th minute proved costly as the Blasters, who played a large part of the match with ten men, fell just short of reaching the semifinals.

    Head coach David Català made one change to the starting lineup, bringing in Tiago Alves for Nihal Sudeesh. For the first time in the tournament, Kerala fielded all six of their foreign players. The match began at a lively pace, with both sides creating early chances. Jorge Ortiz fired over for Mumbai in the opening minutes, while Adrián Luna’s clever through ball nearly set up Tiago Alves for the Blasters.

    Kerala looked threatening down the flanks through Noah Sadaoui and Thingujam Korou Singh, with Koldo Obieta also testing Mumbai goalkeeper Phurba Lachenpa from a tight angle. However, momentum began to shift toward Mumbai as the first half progressed. Just before halftime, Kerala suffered a major blow when Sandeep Singh was sent off after receiving a second yellow card.

    Down to ten men, the Blasters reorganized defensively after the break, with Aibanbha Dohling replacing Noah Sadaoui to strengthen the backline. Goalkeeper Nora Fernandes produced a brilliant save to deny Lallianzuala Chhangte in the 54th minute. Kerala remained dangerous from set pieces, as Juan Rodríguez’s header from Aiban’s long throw forced another fine stop from Lachenpa.

    Català introduced Freddy Lallawmawma, Huidrom Naorem Naorem, and later Nihal Sudeesh to maintain intensity as Kerala focused on protecting the draw that would have seen them through. But heartbreak struck in the 88th minute when a deflected clearance from Muhammed Saheef found its way into his own net, giving Mumbai City the decisive lead.

    Despite a late surge, Kerala Blasters couldn’t find an equalizer. The result left them with six points from their group matches, narrowly missing out on a semifinal spot. Mumbai City FC, meanwhile, advanced to the last four of the AIFF Super Cup 2025–26.

  • Super Cup 2025 : Punjab FC Thrilling Victory Over Bengaluru FC Makes Fan Meet in Delhi

    Super Cup 2025 : Punjab FC Thrilling Victory Over Bengaluru FC Makes Fan Meet in Delhi

    Punjab FC gave its supporters the perfect gift on Wednesday night, a thrilling victory that secured a spot in the AIFF Super Cup 2025 semifinals on Wednesday. The win came on the same evening as the club’s first-ever fan meet in Delhi.

    সুপার কাপের সেমিফাইনাল নিশ্চিতের পর সেলিব্রেশনে এই দলের সমর্থকরা

    Held at Social Saket, the event attracted over 100 passionate fans, along with journalists and social media influencers, who came together to watch the live screening of the crucial group stage clash against Bengaluru FC.

    The atmosphere was electric, featuring live hip hop performances, football freestyle acts, interactive games, and a football quiz, creating a carnival-like vibe. The celebration reached its peak when Punjab FC edged past Bengaluru FC in a dramatic penalty shootout. Fans erupted in jubilation, turning the event into a night of pure joy, unity, and pride.

    Following the match, coach Panagiotis Dilmperis highlighted the club’s growth:
    “I’m super excited. Day by day, week by week, month by month, year by year, the club is developing and achieving higher goals. And we are doing it while nurturing young Indian players. I believe we are a team that deserves to show the way Indian football should progress.”

    The successful fan meet marked a milestone for Punjab FC, strengthening its bond with supporters beyond the pitch. The evening not only showcased the growing passion for football in the region but also reflected the strong sense of community building around the club’s inspiring journey.

    With a semifinal spot secured and an unforgettable night shared with fans, Punjab FC’s debut fan meet was nothing short of a super success, both on and off the field.

     

     
     
     
     
     
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  • Kerala Blasters Strengthen Semifinal Hopes with 3–0 Win Over Sporting Delhi

    Kerala Blasters Strengthen Semifinal Hopes with 3–0 Win Over Sporting Delhi

    Kerala Blasters FC delivered a commanding performance to defeat Sporting Delhi 3–0 in their second Group D match of the AIFF Super Cup 2025 at the GMC Stadium in Bambolim on Monday, November 3, 2025. All three goals came in the first half.

    A brace from Koldo Obieta (17’, 23’) and a superb acrobatic strike from Korou Singh Thingujam (34’) sealed a comfortable win for the Blasters. With this result, Kerala Blasters moved to the top of Group D with six points from two matches, while SC Delhi were knocked out of the tournament.

    The Blasters, coached by David Català, were disciplined in defense, creative in midfield, and ruthless in attack. From the opening whistle, they dominated possession, pressed high up the pitch, and stretched SC Delhi’s five-man defense.

    The tone was set early when Adrián Luna’s corner found Juan Rodríguez, whose header struck the crossbar. Noah Sadaoui looked sharp in attack, while Nihal Sudheesh’s pace constantly troubled the Delhi backline.

    Kerala Blasters took the lead in the 17th minute after a costly mistake from Delhi. A misplaced back pass by Ayush Adhikari was intercepted by Obieta, who slotted the ball past goalkeeper Vishal Yadav despite his attempt to save.

    Just six minutes later, Obieta struck again. A slick passing move involving Korou, Nihal, and Obieta ended with the Spanish forward weaving through the defense and calmly finishing into the bottom corner to make it 2–0.

    The third goal arrived in the 34th minute and was arguably the best of the night. Captain Luna floated a delightful scooped pass into the box, which Korou Singh met with an acrobatic right-footed volley that flew into the far corner — a goal that perfectly captured the Blasters’ flair and confidence.

    SC Delhi failed to register a single shot on target in the first half and struggled to cope with Kerala Blasters’ tempo and movement. Though they improved slightly after the break, the damage was already done.

    Their best chance came in the 88th minute, when Augustine Lalrochana forced a fine save from Nora Fernandes, who preserved the Blasters’ clean sheet.

    With this emphatic victory, Kerala Blasters reinforced their credentials as serious contenders for a Super Cup semifinal spot, while SC Delhi bowed out after another disappointing result.

  • Steven Dias Reflects on Jamshedpur FC Super Cup Campaign Finale

    Steven Dias Reflects on Jamshedpur FC Super Cup Campaign Finale

    Jamshedpur FC concluded their Super Cup campaign on a high note with a convincing victory over Inter Kashi, showcasing the team’s growth and resilience throughout the tournament.

    In a post-match interview, Head Coach Steven Dias shared his thoughts on his first win at the helm of Jamshedpur FC, reflecting on the team’s journey and the lessons learned. According to Dias, the win highlighted the team’s progress, with players delivering increasingly strong performances in each match.

    “We’ve been improving game by game, and that showed in our final match,” Dias said. “The boys played high-intensity football, and I’m very pleased with their efforts.”

    Dias also praised the squad’s unity and cohesion, which he said were key to their success. “I saw excellent teamwork in both defense and attack. Our plan worked, and the boys gave everything on the pitch,” he added.

    The Super Cup provided valuable learning experiences for the team. Dias noted, “I’ve personally learned a lot from this tournament. Now we have a clear understanding of our strengths and areas we need to improve, and we can work on them.”

    Looking ahead, Dias emphasized the importance of maintaining consistency and building on this performance. “We need to keep performing at this level in every match,” he said, underlining the value of team unity.

    He concluded with a message to the fans: “We’re all working extremely hard and giving our all. Keep faith in us and continue supporting the team, as you always have.”

  • Punjab FC cruise past Mohammedan SC with 3–0 win in Super Cup 2025

    Punjab FC cruise past Mohammedan SC with 3–0 win in Super Cup 2025

    Score: Mohammedan SC – 0 | Punjab FC – 3 (Ninthoi 27’, Zeljkovic 43’, M. Kipgen 73’)

    Punjab FC registered a commanding 3–0 victory over Mohammedan SC in their Group C encounter of the AIFF Indian Super Cup 2025 at the GMC Athletic Stadium. This was Punjab’s second consecutive win, taking them to six points from two matches and moving them a step closer to the semifinals. The goals came from Ninthoinganba Meetei, Samir Zeljkovic, and Manglenthang Kipgen.

    Head coach Panagiotis Dilmperis made just one change to Punjab’s starting lineup, bringing in Spanish midfielder Dani Ramirez in place of Princeton Rebello, who had scored in the previous game. Mohammedan SC’s coach Mehrajuddin Wadoo fielded an unchanged eleven from their last outing, where they lost to Bengaluru FC.

    The first major chance fell to Mohammedan’s Bijoy Varghese, whose header from a corner went narrowly wide. Soon after, goalkeeper Subhajit Bhattacharjee produced a fine save to deny Ninthoi.

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    Punjab’s attacking quartet of Dani Ramirez, Kipgen, Ninthoi, and Muhammad Suhail constantly troubled the Mohammedan defence. Their fluid combination play led to the opener in the 27th minute — Kipgen’s precise through ball found Ninthoi making a clever run, and the winger calmly slotted past the advancing goalkeeper.

    The pressure continued, and Punjab doubled their lead just before halftime. Right-back Khaiminthang Lhungdim delivered a deep cross that Ninthoi headed back across goal, where new signing Samir Zeljkovic was waiting unmarked. His left-footed shot may not have been perfectly struck, but it had enough power to find the bottom corner.

    Punjab controlled the tempo after the break, dominating possession and creating chances. Mohammedan, meanwhile, struggled to threaten, with Yash Chickro’s long-range effort being their closest attempt.

    In the 72nd minute, substitute Leon Augustine set up Kipgen inside the box, and the forward calmly finished to make it 3–0. Punjab continued to press for more, with new signing Nsungusi Effiong creating opportunities but failing to convert. Mohammedan managed their first shot on target only in stoppage time, which goalkeeper Muheet Shabir dealt with comfortably.

    With this convincing win, Punjab FC recorded their second straight victory. They will face Bengaluru FC in their final group game on November 5 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda — a match likely to decide the Group C winners.

  • Kerala Blasters FC Ready to Face Sporting Delhi in Super Cup 2025

    Kerala Blasters FC Ready to Face Sporting Delhi in Super Cup 2025

    Kerala Blasters FC will continue their Super Cup 2025 campaign with their second Group D clash against Sporting Delhi at the GMC Athletic Stadium in Bambolim. The match is scheduled to kick off at 4:30 PM.

    The Blasters began their campaign with a gritty 1–0 victory over Rajasthan United, showing both resilience and composure after a long break from competitive action. They now turn their focus to Sporting Club Delhi, who will be eager to bounce back following a 4–1 loss to Mumbai City in their opening fixture.

    Head Coach David Català on the team’s preparation: “The win against Rajasthan was important, but it’s just the start. We’ve made a good beginning, and now it’s about keeping that same energy and focus. Our players are motivated and have a strong mindset to win this match. Sporting Club Delhi are a young, energetic side with talented players. They’ll be hungry to respond after their first result, so we must stay concentrated, respect their strengths, and impose our style of play from the beginning.”

    Sporting Club Delhi, formerly Hyderabad FC, are adjusting to their new identity and management under head coach Tomasz Tchórz. Despite their opening-day defeat to Mumbai City, they showed glimpses of attacking potential, highlighted by a penalty goal from Andrei Alba.

    Kerala Blasters’ victory over Rajasthan United came through a well-taken goal by Koldo Obieta, assisted perfectly by Juan Rodríguez. The new striker’s goal in his debut match was an encouraging sign, boosting the team’s attacking confidence.

    With momentum on their side, focus renewed, and ambitions high, Kerala Blasters are determined to deliver another strong performance and make a statement against Sporting Club Delhi at Bambolim.

  • “Beating East Bengal…” Molina’s special message to fans ahead Super Cup Kolkata Derby

    “Beating East Bengal…” Molina’s special message to fans ahead Super Cup Kolkata Derby

    Mohun Bagan SG stand on the brink of a ‘do or die’ clash against East Bengal in the Super Cup — a match that will decide their place in the semifinals. After an unexpected draw against Dempo, the Green and Maroon brigade can afford no more mistakes. On the eve of Friday’s mega derby, coach Jose Molina and captain Subhasish Bose appeared confident at the pre-match press conference.

    Coach Molina said, “We are Mohun Bagan. Our supporters always want us to win. We’ll take the field with a winning mindset, not to settle for a draw. Our main goal is to beat East Bengal and bring smiles to our fans’ faces.”

    Despite criticism regarding the team’s failure in front of goal against Dempo, Molina appeared unfazed. He said,

    “Every season has its tough moments. It’s hard to stay at your best without consistent matches. But the boys are working hard. As the level of competition rises, our performance will improve too.”

    Captain Subhasish Bose acknowledged the significance of the derby, saying, “East Bengal are playing more competitive football now. The more derbies we play, the more opportunities we get to evaluate ourselves. For me, this match feels like the Super Cup final. We’re creating chances; we just need to be sharper with our set-pieces. The aim is to convert our chances into goals.”

    Even under rainy conditions in Fatorda, Molina’s men trained with full focus. The coach emphasized, “No matter the situation, we’ll enter the pitch with the mentality to win. We’re not thinking about group positions — our only goal is to win the derby.”

    However, the Spanish coach did express a hint of regret about the empty stands, saying,“It doesn’t feel right when a big match like this is played without spectators. But I know our Mohun Bagan fans will still be behind us, cheering from their homes.”

  • 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.

  • East Bengal star palying XI against Chennaiyin in Super Cup

    East Bengal star palying XI against Chennaiyin in Super Cup

    East Bengal Football Club is looking to bounce back as they gear up for their next Super Cup match against Chennaiyin FC. The club’s start to the tournament has been far from ideal, with a disappointing draw against the comparatively weaker Dempo Sports Club in their opening match. The result left fans frustrated, as East Bengal struggled in the first half, missing multiple goal-scoring opportunities and displaying disjointed gameplay on the field.

    Dempo, on the other hand, capitalized on their chances and managed to take the lead in the first half. However, East Bengal responded strongly in the second half, leveling the score early on. The highlight came when Miguel Figuera scored a world-class goal to put the Masal Brigade ahead. Yet, the lead was short-lived, as Dempo equalized toward the end of the match, forcing East Bengal to share points. The outcome was a bitter pill for the club and its supporters, highlighting the challenges that lie ahead in the tournament.

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    With the disappointment of the opening match behind them, East Bengal now turns their focus to a crucial clash against Chennaiyin FC at the Bambolim Stadium in Goa. The team is determined to secure their first win and restore confidence among the fans. Coach Sourav Chakraborty has announced the starting eleven for the game, signaling the club’s intent to perform at their best.

    In goal, Prabhsukhan Singh Gill will be tasked with keeping Chennaiyin at bay, while the defense will rely on Anwar Ali, Mohammad Rakip, Kevin Sibille, and Joy Gupta. The midfield trio of Saúl Crespo, Mohammad Rashid, and Miguel Figuera is expected to orchestrate the team’s attacking and defensive transitions. On the wings, Naorem Mahesh Singh and Bipin Singh will provide width and pace, while forward Hamid Ahad leads the line in search of goals.

    The bench will see players like Hiroshi Ibusuki, Edmund Lalrindika, Nandkumar Sekar, and Sourav Chakraborty ready to step in if required. Their presence adds depth to the squad, giving the coach tactical flexibility depending on the match situation.

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    East Bengal faces a tough challenge against a strong Chennaiyin side led by Clifford Miranda. A win in this match is not only vital for advancing in the Super Cup but also crucial for regaining momentum after a slow start. Both the team and fans hope that the lessons from the draw against Dempo will translate into a more cohesive and determined performance on the field.

    As kickoff approaches, all eyes will be on the Masal Brigade to see whether they can turn their fortunes around and secure a victory against Chennaiyin FC. For East Bengal, the task is difficult but achievable, provided they execute their strategies effectively and capitalize on their attacking opportunities.