Greetings and a warm welcome to all on a sports-filled Saturday evening. Among all the vital fixtures, we also have the pivotal Super Cup final between FC Goa and Jamshedpur FC. Join us as we bring to you the build up and live updates from the title clash of the coveted Indian football championship.
Nikhil Barla comes in for Ritwik Das in the Jamshedpur starting XI. Here's how FC Goa and Jamshedpur FC line up for the all-important final in Bhubaneswar:
This will be the fourth face-off between FC Goa and Jamshedpur FC in the Super Cup, making it the joint-most-played fixture in the tournament's history. As many as 21 goals were scored in the first three games, and many would expect a goalfest today too. The Gaurs came out on top in both quarter-final clashes in the 2018 and 2019 editions, winning 5-1 and 4-3, respectively. In the 2023 group stage in Kozhikode, the Red Miners bagged a 5-3 victory.
Play gets underway at the Kalinga Stadium. The Red Miners, who are playing their first-ever Super Cup final, attacking from right to left and the Gaurs from left to right in the first half.
In other news, Leeds United have defeated Plymouth Argyle 2-1 to lift the EFL Championship trophy. Leeds finish with 100 points, same as Burnley but with a superior goal difference. Manor Solomon's 91st-minute goal made the difference for the victors.
Borja Herrera puts Goa in front in the 23rd minute. It is third time lucky for the Gaurs, as Aakash Sangwan바카라™s initial shot is blocked by Jamshedpur keeper Albino Gomes, and the resulting rebound falls to Borja, whose attempt is then blocked by Eze, but the Spanish midfielder pounces on the ball again to send it into the top corner.
The first half whistle is blown, and the score stays at 1-0 in favour of the Gaurs. Borja's 23rd-minute goal is the difference so far and the Red Miners would be eager to equalize in the second half.
The two sets of players are back on the pitch after the mid-game interval and the second half gets underway. Goa now attacking from right to left and Jamshedpur from left to right. The Men of Steel garner a corner early doors and it leads to another one, but nothing comes of it.
What a stupendous finish that is from Borja Herrera! As if scoring the first goal in a final wasn't enough, the Spanish midfielder has topped it with an out-of-the-world long-ranger. Borja gets hold of the ball from almost 40 yards out and surges ahead before shooting a peach of a strike from distance. Goa well and truly on top now.
3-0! That should spell the end of Jamshedpur's hopes. Dejan Drazic beats Albino with ease to make the most of Carl McHugh's assist and put the ball into the back of the net, and the game to bed. Hard to see the Red Miners coming back from here. The Gaurs on the verge of their second Super Cup title.
Four minutes of added time end, and FC Goa emerge victors by a comprehensive 3-0 margin in Bhubaneswar. Wild celebrations erupt as Manolo Marquez and his wards rejoice, having sealed qualification for AFC Champions League Two's preliminary round as well.