Can FC Goa Overcome the Young Mohun Bagan SG in Kalinga Super Cup Semifinal?

Bhubaneswar, April 29 (NationPress) Two of the leading teams in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season, Mohun Bagan Super Giant and FC Goa, will clash at the Kalinga Stadium during the semifinal of the Kalinga Super Cup on Wednesday.

FC Goa advanced to the semifinals with two impressive victories, first defeating Gokulam Kerala FC 3-0 and then staging a dramatic 2-1 comeback against Punjab FC on Saturday. Coach Manolo Marquez now stands on the brink of securing his first trophy with FC Goa.

Marquez acknowledges that Mohun Bagan have ‘nothing to lose’ and, despite their squad not being at full strength, he anticipates a challenging match. "Winning four matches is necessary to claim the championship, and every match poses its own difficulties. Securing a trophy holds immense significance," stated Marquez.

Although FC Goa is favored due to their complete lineup, Márquez highlighted that the presence of foreign players does not solely determine a team's strength. He pointed out instances from the ongoing Kalinga Super Cup.

“Mohun Bagan arrives with a squad that is only partially from their main team, with the remaining players recently crowned champions of the Reliance Foundation Development League. This match will be tough as they have no pressure to lose. The reality is they have already won two trophies and secured a spot in the Asian competition.

“In this (2025) Kalinga Super Cup, Mumbai City managed to win against Chennaiyin while fielding just one or two foreign players. We narrowly escaped defeat against Punjab, who also featured only two foreigners. While foreign players are vital, Mohun Bagan's Indian players are exceptionally skilled. The idea that more foreign players equals a stronger team is misleading,” the Spaniard concluded.

Following a record-setting league season, clinching both the ISL Shield and Cup, and securing a place in the next season's AFC Champions League Two, Mohun Bagan SG has come to Bhubaneswar with a youthful squad for what coach Bastab Roy describes as an 'exposure trip'.

The Mariners stunned Kerala Blasters FC with a 2-1 victory in the quarterfinals and are now just two wins away from achieving a domestic treble.

However, according to Roy, facing FC Goa, who finished second in the ISL, poses a greater challenge than that of the Blasters, as the Gaurs were one of the few teams to defeat them in the regular season.

"Without a doubt, FC Goa is a superior and stronger team compared to Kerala Blasters. Therefore, my task isn't straightforward. Nevertheless, my players are focused and prepared. This trip serves as exposure for the young players and some seniors as well. It's a semifinal, and I’ve instructed my players to savor the experience," Roy shared during the pre-match press briefing.

Mohun Bagan certainly enjoyed their recent outing against the Blasters, with Salahudheen Adnan K standing out by delivering an assist and earning the Kalinga Player of the Match title.

However, Roy urged caution, emphasizing the need for the young players to maintain their concentration for the upcoming match and deliver consistent performances. He noted that taking it one game at a time is crucial in knockout tournaments.

"We cannot assess players based on a single match. There’s no need to overhype the young boys. Let them play. We aren’t fixating on becoming champions right now. Winning the opening match was a positive step for us because we have another chance. Naturally, it's a semifinal, and should we win, we’ll have the opportunity to compete in the final, and then we can think about being champions," Roy added.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant vs FC Goa is set to occur at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar at 4:30 PM IST. Viewers can catch the action on the Star Sports network and stream it live on Jio Hotstar.