Team Herald
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MARGAO: Champions of the past two editions, FC Goa and East Bengal FC will square off in the summit clash of the Super Cup football tournament, on Sunday, at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, at 7.30 pm, with the winning team booking a berth in the AFC Champions League Two Preliminary Stage.
Kolkata giants East Bengal won the title in 2024 and they would be looking to go level with FC Goa in terms of the number of Super Cup trophies. FC Goa, the defending champions, have their maiden title in 2019.
The Gaurs are on a six match winning streak against the Red and Golds, five of them with a one-goal margin. However, the last time they met outside the Indian Super League, East Bengal ran out 1-0 winners in the 2018 Super Cup semi-finals.
Like the semi-finals, FC Goa will again miss captain and defender Sandesh Jhingan as he is out with a calf injury. Striker Iker Guarrotxena, who was shown a red card before the start of the semi-final, will also be unavailable for the final.
East Bengal will have to take the field without head coach Óscar Bruzón in the final after he was sent off during their 3-1 semi-final win over Punjab FC. But the plan remains intact, according to assistant coach Bino George.
East Bengal captain Saul Crespo and FC Goa’s Borja Herrera have already won two Super Cup titles, and both would be looking for their third on Sunday.
East Bengal have never won against FC Goa at the Nehru Stadium, so that’s a piece of history George’s side will need to script if they are to become Super Cup champions again. More East Bengal fans are expected to travel from Kolkata to Goa for the final.
FC Goa, on the other hand, will become the first club to win three Super Cup titles if they beat East Bengal on Sunday.
“The excitement is always there when you play a final. It doesn’t matter if it’s twice or seven times. It’s a final, and both teams will have the same excitement. In fact, we are the last two teams to win this trophy. I think it will be a good final,” said FC Goa Head Coach Manolo Ma rquez.
