At a time when Indian football is seeking a radical overhaul, the Super Cup, starting in Goa from Saturday, could act as a catalyst for clubs to build their teams, prepare their players, get valuable match time, and keep their hopes of continental qualifications alive.
The camp began in Bengaluru on Thursday.
Though the 41-year-old scored against Maldives in an international friendly, the country's all-time highest goal-scorer failed to find the back of the net in subsequent competitive fixtures for the Blue Tigers.
The semi-finals will be played in a home and away format with the winners over the two legs playing the final on April 12 at the home of the higher-ranked team in the league table.
Bengaluru FC on Tuesday claimed that its owner Parth Jindal suffered "burns and bruises" in a "cowardly attack" by a section of home fans on travelling supporters during Saturday's Indian Super League (ISL) Cup final against Mohun Bagan Super Giant in Kolkata.
MBSG have added the ISL trophy to their League Winners' Shield they had won earlier in the season for a ISL double.
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East Bengal FC produced a disciplined defensive performance to hold arch-rivals Mohun Bagan Super Giant to a goalless draw and qualify for the semifinals of the Super Cup.
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The season-opening Super Cup will kick off from October 25 in Goa, an official of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) said on Tuesday.
'The Football Players Association of India (FPAI) and FIFPRO have been in constant contact with players across the ISL and have raised the matter with FIFA and the AFC on their behalf.'
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League winners Mohun Bagan Super Giant will fancy their chances of completing a double when they take on a formidable Bengaluru FC in the final of the ISL Cup in Kolkata on Saturday.
Mohun Bagan Super Giant pulled out of their Tuesday's match against Isfahan after their six foreign players declined to travel to Iran following "advisories from their respective countries".
The All-India Football Federation has formed a three-member committee, headed by former judge Justice L Nageswara Rao, to oversee the entire tender process for selecting its new commercial partner, as per a directive from the Supreme Court.
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Jamshedpur FC defeated NorthEast United FC by 2-0 to enter the semi-finals of the Indian Super League in Shillong on Sunday.
The Mariners had successfully defended their ISL Shield to book a direct berth in ACL 2, finishing eight points clear of FC Goa.
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NorthEast United got off the blocks quickly as Ajaraie handed them the lead in the sixth minute of the match. It was a brilliant move from Redeem Tlang who found Thoi Singh in space on the right flank.
Hyderabad FC secured a 2-1 win in the reverse fixture on November 7, 2024, and will be eager to complete their first-ever league double over Kerala Blasters FC.
'Everyone knows what is at stake, and the approach and mindset that we need in these matches.'
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Meanwhile, Amrinder Singh became the third goalkeeper to clock 50 clean sheets in ISL after Vishal Kaith and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.
Individuals will come and go but they cannot control a sport in the country, All India Football Federation (AIFF) President Kalyan Chaubey said on Thursday as he also mentioned a court judgment.
Substitute Enwer Annayev struck late as Turkmenistan's Ahal FK stunned Mohun Bagan Super Giant 1-0 in their opening Group C match of the AFC Champions League 2 at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Tuesday.
Earlier, MBSG had requested the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to shift their September 30 ACL 2 match against Sepahan SC out of Iran, citing safety concerns.
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Mohun Bagan Super Giant qualified for their third consecutive final of the Indian Super League after a 3-2 aggregate win against Jamshedpur FC.
Mohammedan collected 13 points from 24 games, but were winless at home throughout the season.
The AIFF said Jamil has signed the contract after parting ways with ISL team Jamshedpur FC.
Mohun Bagan Super Giant remain unbeaten at home with a 2-0 win over FC Goa
Aiming at the top left corner, Mumbai City FC goalkeeper Phurba Lachenpa produced a timely save to keep scores level.
FC Goa defeated Punjab FC in an Indian Super League match with Carl Mchugh scoring the all-important goal in the dying moments of the first half.
Bengaluru FC pulled off the biggest win in ISL play-offs history, thrashing Mumbai City FC 5-0 to progress to the semi-finals.
Mohun Bagan Super Giant created history by becoming the first team in the Indian Super League (ISL) to successfully defend their title. With a 1-0 victory over Odisha FC, they secured the ISL Shield and a spot in the AFC Champions League 2. The win in their 22nd league game brought their total points to 52, ensuring their victory with two matches remaining.
This was Bengaluru FC's fourth defeat from 15 matches, leaving them with 27 points in second place, while Mohammedan SC remain in 12th spot with 10 points.
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