FC Goa retain Super Cup

FC Goa players and staff members celebrate with the trophy.

PANAJI
FC Goa won the Super Cup after they prevailed over East Bengal in sudden death shootout on Sunday, the title triumph also giving them a spot in next season's AFC Champions League 2.
With the win, Manolo Marquez's team also became the first side to defend the Super Cup title, as they clinched it for a record-extending third time.
In an up-and-down contest at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, the Gaurs emerged 6-5 victors in the shootout to clinch their second successive title in the tournament played among the top teams from the Indian Super League and the I-League.
The match went into extra time after both teams were unable to find the target, and they could not score in the additional 30 minutes too, taking the contest to tie-breaker.
In the first-ever Super Cup final to be decided on penalties, the Gaurs held their nerve in sudden death to clinch the trophy in front of their home supporters. After Borja Herrera and Mohamad Basim Rashid missed in regulation penalties for FC Goa and East Bengal converted through Kevin Sibille, Saul Crespo, Miguel Ferreira and Anwar Ali, the shootout went into sudden death following successful strikes from Javier Siverio, Dejan Drazic, Muhammed Nemil and David Timor. Udanta Singh and Sahil Tavora then converted for FC Goa, while PV Vishnu’s miss proved decisive after Hamid Ahadad had scored for East Bengal.
Cheered on by a vociferous home crowd, the Gaurs started the final on the front foot and earned a couple of early set-piece chances, which the East Bengal defence managed to clear. However, East Bengal soon settled into the contest and began to pose a threat on the counter. Their first clear opportunity arrived in the 12th minute when Miguel Ferreira broke in behind the defence but dragged his shot wide with only the goalkeeper to beat.
Bipin Singh was a constant menace down the flank for East Bengal, and his sharp low cross in the 20th minute caused panic in the Goa defence before Mahesh Naorem failed to make proper contact. With the Red and Golds finding space out wide, FC Goa shuffled their pack early, bringing on Udanta and Nim Dorjee Tamang to add solidity in midfield and regain control.
East Bengal came close again towards the end of the first half. Bipin combined well with Mahesh in the 43rd minute, but the latter’s volley was superbly saved. In injury time, Hiroshi Ibusuki released Mahesh through on goal, but Goa defender Aakash Sangwan tracked back brilliantly to neutralise the danger.
FC Goa emerged with renewed energy after the restart. Ayush Chhetri attempted his luck from long range early in the second half, while David Timor slipped Dejan Drazic through soon after, only for the effort to be ruled offside. Despite Goa’s intent, East Bengal once again grew into the contest and pushed forward in waves.
The most controversial moment of the match arrived in the 74th minute. PV Vishnu exchanged passes with Ferreira before unleashing a fierce shot from inside the box. FC Goa goalkeeper Hrithik Tiwari fumbled initially as the ball struck him and looped dangerously towards the goal-line, but he reacted quickly to claw it away just in time. East Bengal players appealed in vain, and the match remained scoreless.
That escape lifted FC Goa. Brison Fernandes hammered a stunning long-range effort against the upright in the 77th minute, and moments later Borja’s teasing cross found Drazic unmarked, but the Serbian forward sent his header wide. Pol Moreno nearly caught everyone by surprise in the 81st minute when his clearance from near the halfway line dipped towards goal, but Prabhsukhan Singh Gill scrambled back to tip the ball onto the crossbar.
FC Goa carried that momentum into extra time, though clear-cut chances became scarce. Siverio went closest in the 107th minute when his rebound effort from close range was blocked by Gill. The East Bengal goalkeeper was called into action again in the 114th minute to deny Timor’s header, ensuring the contest would be settled on penalties.