FC Goa triumphed in the AIFF Super Cup, defeating East Bengal FC in a dramatic sudden-death shootout on Sunday. This victory not only secured their second consecutive title in the tournament but also earned them a place in the upcoming AFC Champions League 2. Under the guidance of coach Manolo Marquez, FC Goa became the first team to defend the Super Cup title, marking their third overall win in the competition.
In a thrilling match at the Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium, the two sides could not break the deadlock during regular time or the additional 30 minutes, leading to a penalty shootout where the teams were tied at 4-4. The match was ultimately decided in sudden death, where Sahil Tavora scored the decisive goal for FC Goa, following a successful penalty from Udanta Singh. East Bengal’s substitute Hamid Ahadad also found the net, but PV Vishnu missed his penalty, sealing the victory for Goa.
From the outset, the final was a back-and-forth contest. The home team’s supporters created an electrifying atmosphere, and FC Goa seized early opportunities through set pieces, although the East Bengal defense held firm. East Bengal quickly regained their composure and began creating chances, with Miguel Ferreira getting a prime opportunity in the 12th minute, but he shot wide with only the goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Singh Gill to beat.
Bipin Singh made several threatening runs down the wing, and his low cross in the 20th minute almost caught Goa off guard, but Mahesh Naorem’s botched touch kept the scores level. Momentum shifted after halftime, and FC Goa came out aggressively. Ayush Chhetri attempted a long-range shot immediately after the restart, but it sailed over the bar.
In the 74th minute, East Bengal thought they had scored when PV Vishnu played a slick one-two with Ferreira and unleashed a powerful shot. FC Goa’s goalkeeper Hrithik Tiwari fumbled, allowing the ball to loop dangerously close to the goal line, but he managed to recover just in time, preventing what would have been a crucial goal. This near-miss seemed to energize FC Goa, as Brison Fernandes struck the post in the 77th minute.
The match moved into extra time, with chances becoming harder to come by. In the 107th minute, FC Goa’s Siverio had a close-range opportunity saved by Gill. The East Bengal goalkeeper continued to shine, making another crucial save from a header in the 114th minute. Despite his impressive performance throughout the match, East Bengal ultimately faltered in the shootout, missing key penalties that would cost them the championship.
This thrilling encounter not only showcased the competitiveness of Indian football but also solidified FC Goa’s status as a dominant force in the league.
Original Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/fc-goa-win-super-cup-book-spot-in-afc-champions-league-2-10407991/
Category: Football,Sports
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Publish Date: 2025-12-08 00:17:00
