Fatorda Stadium is set for a heavyweight showdown as East Bengal lock horns with the defending champions, FC Goa in the Super Cup Final on Sunday.
The Red and Gold Brigade enters the final driven by the memory of falling short in the Durand Cup and IFA Shield finals. They are fiercely motivated to seize this opportunity and repeat their 2024 Super Cup triumph. While East Bengal will be without their Head Coach Oscar Bruzón on the sidelines—the Spanish coach was dismissed in the last game following a heated exchange—the team remains focused on the task at hand.
Assistant Coach Bino George and Captain Saul Crespo, both veterans of the 2024 victory, echoed the team’s confidence. Crespo asserted, “This East Bengal team is different than the last three years. We are ready for tomorrow’s final.” George added, “We came here not just to participate but to win the trophy.”
FC Goa Head Coach Manolo Márquez, who is aiming to defend the Super Cup title, acknowledged the quality of their opponents, admitting, “I have been coaching here in India since 2020, and this is the strongest East Bengal squad I have ever seen.”
The Gaurs believe they are better prepared, having been tested in the grueling AFC Champions League Group Stage against formidable opponents like Al Zawraa, Al Nassr FC, and Istiklol FC. While Márquez agrees that playing in tougher conditions makes a team better, he remains cautious. “If you look at the semi-final against Mumbai City, we were struggling a bit,” he noted, refusing to rely solely on the AFC experience.
Goa faces significant selection challenges: key forward Iker Guarrotxena was controversially sent off before the semi-final kick-off, and defensive pillar Sandesh Jhingan remains sidelined with a muscle injury sustained during the AFC fixture against Al Zawraa. Márquez, however, trusts his squad depth.
The outcome of the Final is likely to hinge on the performance of the midfields. East Bengal boasts an excellent core, with Saul Crespo, Miguel Ferreira, and Mohammed Rashid showcasing consistent composure. FC Goa’s midfield, led by Borja Herrera, is equally formidable.
Borja, a former East Bengal player, is on the brink of winning his third consecutive Super Cup (having won it with East Bengal in 2024 and FC Goa last edition). In the last ISL meeting between these two teams, Borja was ruthless, scoring a hat-trick in a 3-2 win for Goa.
The personal dynamic between Borja and his close friend, East Bengal’s Saul Crespo, adds extra spice. Crespo stated, “Yes, he is a good friend, we often meet, but once the final kicks off, we will be rivals.”
For East Bengal, there are no serious injury concerns, but the availability of reliable Moroccan striker Hamid Ahadad is doubtful. He was rested in the semi-final and was seen training with the physio on Saturday. Bino George confirmed, “The decision on Hamid’s availability will be taken in the team meeting before the match.”
Despite a slight dip in attendance over the past years, the grand finale, pitting the home side against East Bengal, is expected to draw a significant crowd. Goa enjoyed strong support in their semi-final win, and the atmosphere is anticipated to be even more hostile for the Final.
The Red and Gold Brigade won their 2024 Super Cup by defeating the then-hosts and defending champions, Odisha FC. This year, they face FC Goa, who are both the defending champions and playing in their backyard. Can East Bengal repeat this trend?
Saul Crespo summed up the team’s determination: “I am happy to have scored the decisive goal (in the semi-final). Everyone in the team has worked hard for this moment, and now we stand on the threshold of reclaiming the Super Cup title and our spot in AFC competitions. We would request more fans to travel to Goa on Sunday, and boost our confidence with their support and loud chants from the stands.”
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