After a break of almost a month, the teams have hit the reset button and will once again be in the hunt for the continental spot when the AIFF Super Cup semi-finals kick off here at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Thursday.
Past encounters and history between these sides count for little in what has been a disruptive start to the domestic football season without top flight football. Teams have undergone several personnel changes to their rosters but have done well to retain their head coaches to maintain some semblance of stability.
Home team FC Goa’s match with rivals Mumbai City FC will be the most eye-catching match of the last four legs. Both teams share a similar philosophy in their playing style and their respective head coaches have pledged to stick to their attacking nature.
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Goa has a slight lead among the semi-finalists, having more competitive matches under their belt thanks to their performances in the AFC Champions League 2. Despite recording five defeats in it, Manolo Marquez’s men put in strong performances, including the recent defeat to Al-Zawraa.
In the second semi-final, Punjab FC could provide a bruising challenge for East Bengal. Punjab will bring a lot of intensity and physicality to the table, hoping to disrupt East Bengal’s attacking rhythm.
Punjab are yet to concede a goal in their three group stage matches but will be without first-choice full-backs Muhammad Uvais and Khaiminthang Lhungdim, who are suspended.
East Bengal centre-backs Anwar Ali and Kevin Sibille will have their hands full when they take on Nigerian striker Effiong Nsungusi of Punjab. If they manage to suppress him, it could provide a platform for the Red and Golds attackers to hurt Punjab.
Published on December 3, 2025
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