AIFF Super Cup 2025-26 kicks off today in Goa with East Bengal and Bagan matches

The AIFF Super Cup 2025-26 begins in Goa on October 25 with East Bengal FC facing Dempo SC and Mohun Bagan Super Giant taking on Chennaiyin FC. Top Indian clubs aim to showcase form and team unity in the opener

Hyderabad: The AIFF Super Cup 2025-26 will kick off with two Group A fixtures on Saturday, October 25, as East Bengal FC go up against Dempo SC (16:30) at the GMC Stadium in Bambolim, and Mohun Bagan Super Giant cross swords with Chennaiyin FC (19:30) at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda.

The matches at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium will be telecast live on Star Sports Khel and streamed on JioHotstar. The matches at the GMC Athletic Stadium will be streamed live on the Indian Football YouTube Channel.

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The entry for the AIFF Super Cup 2025-26 matches is free for all fans. The East Stand at the PJN Stadium and the West Stand at the GMC Athletic Stadium are open to fans.

East Bengal FC will step onto the field after participating in two pre-season tournaments, having reached the semi-finals of the Durand Cup and the finals of the IFA Shield. They find their form and unity at their peak.

Speaking of their preparedness for this edition, East Bengal head coach Óscar Bruzón, in the pre-match press conference, said, “I believe that our players are up to the challenge and show that we can this year compete with the best Indian clubs.”

Set for a showdown against Goa’s Dempo SC in the opener, Bruzón is fully aware of the historical weight behind their opponents’ name (they have won the Indian top division league on five occasions).

“We know what this club was before, and probably they too want to come back and put their mark on this tournament,” he said. “We have prepared for the games depending on the capabilities and the strengths and weaknesses of our rivals. But this time it’s indeed better to focus on ourselves.”

Midfielder Souvik Chakraborty echoed his coach’s confidence and reinforced their team unity as a key to success.

I-League side Dempo SC were drafted into the Super Cup in place of Real Kashmir FC, who pulled out due to the lack of visas for their foreign players. While that gave them a short span of time to prepare their team, head coach Samir Naik seemed ready to take on the challenges that lie ahead for his side.

“It is definitely a challenge to prepare the team in a short span of time, but the boys have done quite well. We have worked on certain things, and we are ready,” said Naik.

Dempo will revive the memories of old times in Indian football when the Golden Eagles used to fight for the top trophies in the country alongside the Kolkata giants. While it is a different ball game now, especially since Dempo are playing with an all-Indian side, Naik and his boys are up for the challenge.

“It’s challenging to face the Calcutta clubs without any foreigners, but I feel that we are well prepared for this,” he said. “It’s not about who has foreigners or not, but it’s all about how much you trust all the players you have, and my players are as good as foreigners.”

Vinay Harji, who has represented India at the junior level, is one of the key players for Dempo, operating from midfield.

“We are happy with the preparation that we’ve had for the Super Cup, and I think if we combine and play well as a team, we could beat them,” said Harji. “Of course, every player has to give it their best on the field.”

The champions of the Indian Super League have arrived in Goa for the AIFF Super Cup with full cavalry, after recently being crowned champions of the IFA Shield, defeating city rivals East Bengal in the final.

Head Coach José Molina sounded optimistic about the Green and Maroons’ chase for yet another title, and advocated a balance between defence and attack.