Super Cup 2025-2026: Goa beats Inter Kashi to advance to semi-finals; Jamshedpur, NorthEast United eliminated after 2-2 draw

Borja Herrera scored a brace and Dejan Drazic scored another as defending AIFF Super Cup champions FC Goa qualified for the semi-finals of this edition, beating Inter Kashi 3-0 here on Wednesday.

Goa wasted no time and broke the deadlock in just over three minutes at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. The goal came when Abdul Rabeeh’s headed interception of a Kashi throw-in unfortunately directed the ball towards opposition defender David Humanes. However, the day’s heavy rain had left the pitch damp, causing the Spaniard to slip in his own penalty area. Local boy Muhammad Nemil quickly capitalized and passed to Drazic, who hit the ball.

Goa switched gears from there and doubled their lead after the half hour: Drazic seized on Anil Chawan’s failed clearance and then avoided the onrushing Wayne Vaz to set up Herrera on his left. The Spanish midfielder shot on the half-volley and comfortably beat goalkeeper Shubham Dhas.

As Kashi looked for ways to make a comeback, Herrera struck again. David Timor floated in a long ball from the back for Herrera to head in – a typical example of route one football.

Goa’s formidable centre-backs, Sandesh Jhingan and David Timor, neutralized Kashi’s every attempt to gain a foothold in the match, marshaling the defense brilliantly and leaving their goalkeeper, Hrithik Tiwari, largely untroubled.

In the second half, Goa’s coach Manolo Marquez brought on Iker Guarrotxena and promising Indian youngster Prachit Gaonkar, both of whom tested goalkeeper Dhas in the final 25 minutes.

Meanwhile, Timor, already with an assist, pushed for a goal but Dhas’ sharp save denied him and stopped more bleeding for the I-League champions.

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Earlier, NorthEast United’s high line cost them yet again as they drew 2-2 against Jamshedpur FC at the GMC Stadium in Bambolim.

The Highlanders took the lead early on, from Chema Nunez and Alaaeddine Ajaraie, but Jamshedpur struck once in both halves, from Pronay Halder and Raphael Messi Bouli respectively.

However, Goa’s victory meant that both sides – NorthEast United and Jamshedpur FC – were eliminated from the race for the semi-finals.

Juan Pedro Benali’s men scored the opening goal in the 20th minute when Nunez fired past an impassive Albino Gomes (Jamshedpur’s goalkeeper) after Jairo Samperio had rattled the woodwork with a powerful volley.

Nine minutes later, NorthEast United got the ball through five passes from the back to the front. Nunez then put Ajaraie in the penalty area, who expertly fired the ball home with his first touch.

Jamshedpur’s Japanese talisman Rei Tachikawa then inspired the comeback: Pronay headed his corner in the 44th minute and Messi Bouli scored with his diagonal long ball at the far post with one minute left in regular time.

All four teams will end their group stages on November 1, with the final round matches now dead rubber.

Published on October 29, 2025