After 15 days of high-octane football, the Kalinga Super Cup has finally filtered down to two deserving finalists — Jamshedpur FC and FC Goa. The two sides will lock horns in the ultimate battle, with a coveted spot in the AFC Champions League 2 qualifiers at stake.
Both teams, having fallen short at the semi-final stage of the ISL 2024–25 season, will look to redeem themselves by lifting this prestigious trophy. For Jamshedpur, it has been a remarkable journey so far. They began their campaign with a win over Hyderabad FC, followed by a quarter-final victory over NorthEast United, and a hard-fought semi-final triumph against Mumbai City FC. What stands out is their impenetrable defence — they are yet to concede a single goal in the tournament.
FC Goa, on the other hand, started their campaign with a comfortable win against Gokulam Kerala. They then pulled off a dramatic comeback against Punjab FC in the quarter-final before producing a dominant performance to thrash Mohun Bagan SG in the semi-final.
For Jamshedpur, this final could mark a historic moment — their first-ever qualification for an AFC competition. It would also add another glorious chapter to Khalid Jamil’s underdog legacy, reminiscent of his fairy-tale I-League title win with Aizawl FC in 2017.
“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 Jamil.
The motivation for Goa will be equally intense. This will be their last tournament under head coach Manolo Márquez, who will step down after the final to focus solely on his national team responsibilities. The Super Cup offers Goa a chance to not only claim silverware but also book a return to Asia — four years after their last AFC Champions League appearance.
“When you have this opportunity (to qualify for Asia), obviously you have to be very motivated,” said Márquez. “FC Goa already played in the Champions League four years ago. Jamshedpur never did. But both teams will be desperate to make it.”
Interestingly, Jamshedpur got the better of Goa in both their ISL meetings this season — a 2-1 win at Fatorda and a 3-1 victory at home. However, both coaches were quick to downplay the relevance of those results heading into the final.
“Every game is different,” Márquez noted. “We can say that we finished second and Jamshedpur were ten points behind, but we lost both games to them. They were much better than us in Jamshedpur. In Goa, maybe we had the better first half, and they dominated the second. But now it’s a final, and what happened earlier doesn’t matter.”
Jamil echoed that sentiment. “It’s absolutely true that this is a completely different game,” he said. “We have to be strong. We must understand we’re facing a good team — technically very strong — and we have to give our best.”
Unlike earlier rounds, the Super Cup final will go into extra time if the scores are level at the end of regulation. Jamshedpur have already had a taste of penalty shootouts — edging past NorthEast United in the quarters — while FC Goa haven’t yet been pushed to that limit.
“There’s always a possibility for penalties,” said Márquez. “I don’t agree with people who say penalties are a lottery. For me, they’re not. If there’s a good goalkeeper and some players are tired, it’s about staying calm and showing your quality. You have to be prepared for all situations.”
Head-to-Head: A Familiar Rivalry
The final will mark the fourth Super Cup meeting between Goa and Jamshedpur — tying it as the most-played fixture in the tournament’s history. Their previous three encounters have produced a staggering 21 goals. Goa won the 2018 and 2019 quarter-finals in emphatic fashion (5-1 and 4-3), while Jamshedpur came out on top in a 5-3 group-stage thriller in 2023.
With Goa aiming to give Márquez a fitting farewell and Jamshedpur eyeing a historic Asian qualification under their Indian head coach, Jamil, this promises to be a final to remember.
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