Super Cup: Mohun Bagan SG, East Bengal face all-Indian challenge from Chennaiyin, Dempo in Group A

New Delhi, Oct 24 (IANS) The AIFF Super Cup 2025-26 will kick off with two Group A fixtures on Saturday, as East Bengal FC go up against Dempo SC at the GMC Stadium in Bambolim, and Mohun Bagan Super Giant cross swords with Chennaiyin FC at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda.

East Bengal FC will step onto the field first after participating in two pre-season tournaments, having reached the semi-finals of the Durand Cup and the finals of the IFA Shield. They find their form and unity at their peak.

Speaking of their preparedness for this edition, East Bengal head coach Óscar Bruzón, in the pre-match press conference, said, “I believe that our players are up to the challenge and show that we can this year compete with the best Indian clubs.”Set for a showdown against Goa’s Dempo SC in the opener, Bruzón is fully aware of the historical weight behind their opponents’ name (they have won the Indian top division league on five occasions).

“We know what this club was before, and probably they too want to come back and put their mark on this tournament,” he said. “We have prepared for the games depending on the capabilities and the strengths and weaknesses of our rivals. But this time it’s indeed better to focus on ourselves.”

Midfielder Souvik Chakraborty echoed his coach’s confidence and reinforced their team unity as a key to success.

I-League side Dempo SC were drafted into the Super Cup in place of Real Kashmir FC, who pulled out due to the lack of visas for their foreign players. While that gave them a short span of time to prepare their team, head coach Samir Naik seemed ready to take on the challenges that lie ahead for his side. “It is definitely a challenge to prepare the team in a short span of time, but the boys have done quite well. We have worked on certain things, and we are ready,” said Naik.

Dempo will revive the memories of old in Indian football when the Golden Eagles used to fight for the top trophies in the country alongside the Kolkata giants. While it is a different ball game now, especially since Dempo are playing with an all-Indian side, Naik and his boys are up for the challenge.

It’s challenging to face the Calcutta clubs without any foreigners, but I feel that we are well prepared for this,” he said. “It’s not about who has foreigners or not, but it’s all about how much you trust all the players you have, and my players are as good as foreigners.”

Vinay Harji, who has represented India at the junior level, is one of the key players for Dempo, operating from midfield. “We are happy with the preparation that we’ve had for the Super Cup, and I think if we combine and play well as a team, we could beat them,” said Harji. “Of course, every player has to give it their best on the field.”

Mohun Bagan take on Chennaiyin FC

The champions of the Indian Super League have arrived in Goa for the AIFF Super Cup with full cavalry, after recently being crowned champions of the IFA Shield, defeating city rivals East Bengal in the final. Head Coach José Molina sounded optimistic about the Green and Maroons’ chase for yet another title, and advocated a balance between defence and attack.

For me, it is important that we strike a balance between defence and attack, and prepare the team for all possibilities. We have the same conviction in terms of scoring, as we have in terms of not conceding.”

Chennaiyin FC, on the other hand, have brought an all-Indian side to the competition, though Mohun Bagan SG are wary of the threat that they pose when the two face off at the PJN Stadium at 19:30 on Saturday. “They have some quality players. They may not be foreigners, but they will be strong, and we need to be at our best to beat them,” said Molina.

Midfielder Anirudh Thapa may have played for Chennaiyin once, but is now a Green and Maroon through and through, and will be banking on his partnership with Lalengmawia Ralte to win the matches for his side.

“I think we both have a similar style of playing the game, so the understanding is good,” said Thapa. “We like to keep the ball, and I think that is one of the reasons that we have done well in many games. Hopefully, we can continue to play like this and become a better duo in the future as well.”

Chennaiyin, like Dempo, are all about giving Indian players a platform to shine in the AIFF Super Cup. Head coach Clifford Miranda was all praises for his players, who he believes can rise to the occasion when called upon.

We have some very good professionals who can rise to the occasion and compete. If you see the flip side, yes, having foreign players helps. But when you have Indian players who are trained as a unit, they can be just as good,” said Miranda.

Chennaiyin forward Farukh Choudhary echoed his coach’s sentiments and said, “When we see all the Indians here, especially the youngsters who have come from the reserves and the junior teams, they are highly motivated and full of good qualities. Hopefully, whenever they get their chances, they will show what they can do.”

The matches at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium will be telecast live on Star Sports Khel and streamed on JioHotstar. The matches at the GMC Athletic Stadium will be streamed live on the Indian Football YouTube Channel.

The entry for the AIFF Super Cup 2025-26 matches is free for all fans. The East Stand at the PJN Stadium and the West Stand at the GMC Athletic Stadium are open to fans.

–IANS

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