Latest news with #KalingaSuperCup2025
India Gazette
22-06-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
Suhail Bhat's dream run: From watching on sidelines to playing for India and Mohun Bagan
Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], June 22 (ANI): Suhail Bhat's rise from a ball boy to a national team player is nothing short of inspiring. Now, the young talent is living his dream at Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG), according to the official website of the Indian Super League (ISL). He was part of MBSG's historic Indian Super League double-winning squad in the 2024-25 campaign. He also won the Durand Cup and the League Shield in his debut season with the club in the 2023-24 season. Hailing from Jammu and Kashmir, Bhat started his career with Indian Arrows. Later, the forward joined the MBSG reserve squad, and his goalscoring potential caught the attention quickly, opening the doors to the first team. 'I used to play for the Arrows, and when we finished the AFC U-19, my agent called me and said, 'MBSG are interested in you.' I was like, 'Okay, I'm going there no matter how much money they're offering.' So, basically, right from the start, I felt in my heart that I wanted to join MBSG,' he said in an interview with MBSG TV, as quoted from the official website of ISL. 'After that, I came here and played for the reserve team. Back then, in the reserve team, we had a really good understanding among us, so because of that, I was able to score more goals. I scored goals in the Calcutta Football League (CFL) and in the Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL) as well. In my debut, I scored a hat-trick against Mohammedan (Sporting Club) SC--that was the best debut of my life. I scored that hat-trick. That's where my career started, and I never looked back and kept working harder and harder,' he added. Bhat took pride in being part of MBSG's squad. When quizzed about his thoughts on the Mariners' journey throughout the 2024-25 season, he answered, 'It's amazing. When I look back, it feels incredible. It's like an unbelievable season,' he noted. 'I still can't believe it--we've won so many trophies. So, when I look back now, I get that experience of how we work together as a team and how we get back up when we lose. So, it is all about the feeling of winning the Shield and the Cup together--it still feels like a dream,' he further added. Bhat showed glimpses of his talent in the Kalinga Super Cup 2025, where he scored two goals and was recently called up to the senior Indian national team. Under Manolo Marquez's guidance, he also made his debut for the Blue Tigers against Thailand in an international friendly. The 20-year-old forward shared his joy at receiving his first-ever national team call-up and spoke about the experience of sharing the dressing room with the likes of Sunil Chhetri and other senior players. 'Since I started playing football, I was in the under-16s, then under-19s, then under-23s (for the) AFC qualifiers. Every time, my focus was only to get into the senior team and experience playing at that level and play for the country,' he said. 'It was like a dream when I got my first call-up from the senior team. I still can't believe it. I've been there alongside everyone, including Sunil Chhetri Bhai and all the senior players who have helped and supported me. They're always telling me to keep going, and it's an amazing feeling to be there,' he signed off. (ANI)
India Gazette
12-05-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
Tom Aldred signs one-year contract extension with Mohun Bagan Super Giant
New Delhi [India], May 12 (ANI): Mohun Bagan Super Giant centre-back Tom Aldred has signed a fresh one-year contract with the Mariners, the Indian Super League (ISL) club announced on Saturday. The new deal will see the defender don the Green and Maroons till the end of the 2025-26 season, as per the ISL official website. Aldred, who joined the Mariners from A-League outfit Brisbane Roar ahead of the 2024-25 campaign, quickly became a fan favourite. The 34-year-old played a crucial role in the heart of defence during a memorable season for the Kolkata-based side. Under the leadership of head coach Jose Molina, MBSG retained the ISL Shield and clinched the ISL Cup with a victory over Bengaluru FC in the final, becoming only the second team in ISL history to achieve the double. The Mariners also finished as runners-up in the Durand Cup. Aldred made 32 appearances across all competitions and, aside from his defensive solidity, also contributed in attack, mostly from set-piece situations, with three goals and one assist. With his future now secured, the experienced defender will aim to build on this strong season and lead from the back once again in 2025-26. Earlier, Mohun Bagan Super Giant last featured in the Kalinga Super Cup 2025, where FC Goa put them to the sword, beating them 3-1 to progress to the final of the competition. Goals from Brison Fernandes (20'), Iker Guarrotxena (51' penalty), and Borja Herrera (58') sealed a comfortable victory for Manolo Marquez's side over Bastab Roy's young guns. (ANI)
United News of India
04-05-2025
- Sport
- United News of India
FC Goa strolls to Kalinga Super Cup title with 3-0 win over Jamshedpur FC
Bhubaneswar, May 4 (UNI) As the final whistle blew and rain kept pouring at the Kalinga Stadium, it was as though the heavens joined in to mark FC Goa's crowning moment. With the players singing and dancing in the rainstorm, the Gaurs lifted the Kalinga Super Cup 2025 in style, storming past Jamshedpur FC 3-0 in a commanding final performance on Saturday night. Borja Herrera led the charge with a brilliant brace, while Dejan Dražić added the finishing touch on a night that blended grit, glory, and a touch of cinematic flair. The victory marked FC Goa's first trophy under head coach Manolo Márquez, whose chapter at the club came to an end in the perfect manner. It was Goa's second Super Cup title overall, making them the first club to win the tournament twice. The result also secured their qualification for the AFC Champions League Two 2025-26 as they will return to an Asian club competition after four years. The match was billed as a battle between FC Goa's attacking firepower and Jamshedpur's unbreached defence, yet by full-time, it was clear which side had stamped its authority. Jamshedpur, known for their compact shape and counter-attacking style, and having not conceded a single goal until the final, simply couldn't cope with Goa's expansive play. While Jamshedpur did show some early promise, Javier Hernández forcing a sharp save from Hrithik Tiwari in the third minute, the momentum quickly swung in Goa's favour. With Aakash Sangwan and Dejan Dražić tearing down the wings and Carl McHugh and Borja pulling the strings in midfield, Goa dominated both possession and territory. The opener arrived in the 23rd minute. Sangwan made a blistering run down the left and unleashed a powerful drive that Albino Gomes could only parry. Borja was first to the rebound — his first shot was blocked, but he coolly slotted the second into the roof of the net. Jamshedpur's best chance came late in the first half when Lazar Ćirković's header rattled the crossbar, but their lack of attacking thrust was evident throughout. FC Goa doubled their lead in the 51st minute with a moment of brilliance. Borja, picking the ball up near midfield, surged forward and unleashed a ferocious 25-yard strike that arrowed into the top corner, leaving Gomes helpless. Khalid Jamil's men tried to claw their way back, with Jordan Murray setting up Javier Siverio, but the forward blasted over from close range. The third and final goal came in the 71st minute and showcased Goa's poise and precision. McHugh dissected the defence with a perfectly weighted through ball, and Dražić latched on, rounded the keeper, and tapped home into an empty net. As the match wound down and rain began to fall, the mood turned celebratory as FC Goa's players danced to cap off a wonderful performance and embrace their moment in history. Borja was presented the Kalinga Player of the Match by Sonali Chand, Officer on Special Duty, Sports and Youth Services Department, Government of Odisha. UNI BM ARN
Time of India
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Ardent fans of Red Miners disappointed after Gaurs handed 3-0 defeat in Kalinga Super Cup finals
Jamshedpur: Dreams were shattered for the third time with the defeat of the JFC to FC Goa at the title clash of the Kalinga Super Cup 2025. At the kick-off, fans were upbeat as the ' Red Miners ' were evenly balanced with the Gaurs, who were visibly dominant later in the game. "In the first half, our boys got a few opportunities but missed them. At the same time, opponent Goa players were aggressive and dominant," said Mohamed Kafil, a spectator at the community ground of Dhatkidih watching the live match on a giant screen. Another fan, Suraj Mukhi, said Borja's goal in the 23rd minute made the initial difference and triggered the Manolo Marquez boys to play the second half with intense aggression. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Book 2,3&4 BHK apartments from 3.60 Cr* in Sec 22, Gurugram Ambience Creacions, Gurugram Learn More Undo The Dhatkidih ground was well attended by spectators who had come with hope to see the 'Men of Steel' lift the championship trophy and add the second-ever title to their credit, but with the start of the second half, the fans started losing faith in their idols. "Khalid Jamil's men needed a miracle to bounce back after the 3-0 score. The resilience and the grit of the boys was visibly missing today," commented 28-year-old Amit Kumar, a Tata Steel employee and a committed fan of JFC. Hotels and restaurants where the match was being screened live saw a sudden switch to the IPL match. "After the second goal scored by the Spanish midfielder Borja Herrera giving a comfortable lead to FC Goa, some of the guests requested for the IPL match," said The Kannelite director Nirmal Singh. Likewise, Mocha Café and Bar Bistupur manager Priya said the guests were getting disappointed on seeing JFC losing the match and so the telecast was changed to cricket. Several dedicated fans of Javi and Siverio said JFC did not play up to the occasion. "The furnace was missing today. The passion to pounce on the opponent and snatch the ball was literally not coming throughout the 90 minutes," said JFC fan Shailesh Tiwary with a broken heart. In the run up to the finals, Tiwary exuded confidence that the method and grit of the JFC boys will create history in Bhubaneswar on Sunday. This is the third defeat of the JFC in the Kalinga Super Cup, he added. "JFC are a good team, losses are part of the game, keep heads up," said a young spectator.
Hans India
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Hans India
Goa and Jamshedpur face off for golden ticket to Asia
Bhubaneswar: After 13 days of relentless action, 15 contenders have been reduced to two, come the final day of the Kalinga Super Cup 2025. The 2019 champions FC Goa will take on first-time finalists Jamshedpur FC in the summit clash on Saturday. The winner of the match will also qualify for the 2025-26 AFC Champions League Two Preliminary Round. On one hand are FC Goa, aiming not only to become the first team to win this trophy twice but also to end their four-year absence from continental football. The Gaurs' sole campaign in Asia came in the 2021 AFC Champions League. On the other hand, Jamshedpur FC are in uncharted territory, ending a run of two semi-final losses in the Super Cup to reach their first-ever final in any competition in the club's eight-year history. Having missed out on qualifying for the AFC Champions League after a play-off defeat in 2023, the Men of Steel now have another golden chance to earn their maiden ticket to Asia. 'For us, it's very important because it would be the first time that we qualify for an Asian competition, so we'll try to give our best,' said Jamshedpur FC head coach Khalid Jamil in the pre-match press conference on Friday His counterpart, FC Goa head coach Manolo Marquez, said, 'When you have this opportunity (to qualify for Asia), obviously you have to be very motivated. FC Goa already played in the Champions League four years ago. Jamshedpur never did. But both teams would want to make it to this competition.' It would be the fourth meeting between FC Goa and Jamshedpur FC in the Super Cup, making it the joint most-played fixture in the tournament's history. If the past three matches, where a staggering 21 goals were scored, are anything to go by, one can definitely expect fireworks on Saturday as well. The final will be telecast live on Star Sports 3 and streamed on JioHotstar
