Super Cup: Punjab FC, Bengaluru FC to battle it out for SFs spot

The best contests of the AIFF Super Cup’s group stage have been preserved for the very last, with the penultimate day having Bengaluru FC taking on Punjab FC for a spot in the semifinal, at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Wednesday.
Punjab has been thoroughly consistent with its form, scoring three goals in each of its two matches from its well-oiled arsenal, featuring Indian youngsters Ninthoinganba Meetei, Muhammad Suhail and Manglenthang Kipgen.
New signings Dani Ramirez and Samir Zeljkovic have fit into the squad smoothly, replacing Ezequel Pulga Vidal and Filip Mrzljak, respectively, in the midfield, and will be crucial in building up attacks from the back.
BFC, on the other hand, was well-held for most parts of the game by a depleted Mohammedan Sporting side, but it eventually secured full points, through a counterattack — scored by Taorem Kelvin Singh — and a spotkick converted by captain Sunil Chhetri.
But Gerard Zaragoza’s side looked on song against Gokulam Kerala, scoring in the second minute and putting three more past the Malabarians to enter the final matchday on level terms with the Shers.
With an equal goal difference and the same number of goals scored, the winner in regulation time will seal a spot in the semis, while a draw will determine the group topper through penalties.
Argentine playmaker Braian Sanchez is expected to dictate the midfield for the Blues, with Ryan Williams as one of the strikers up front in a diamond formation.
Chhetri could replace Kelvin as a poacher alongside Williams, while Sirojiddin Kuziev will be entrusted with holding the midfield and triggering attacks against the run of play.
The Blues will be cautious not to give India youth internationals Kipgen and Suhail too much space, both of whom use pace and positioning to create frequent chances.
In the other match, earlier in the day, Gokulam Kerala and Mohamedan Sporting will lock horns in a dead rubber at the GMC Stadium in Bambolim. Both former I-League champions have had no-shows in the tournament so far, with no goals or wins to their names, but will look to end the Super Cup on a high.
The contest pits coach José Hevia’s past — Mohammedan Sporting — and present — Gokulam — sides against each other, with the Spaniard in charge of the Black Panthers in the 2020-21 season.
Hevia, who had led Shillong Lajong to the Shillong Premier League and Meghalaya State League in 2019, helped it score the most goals (46) in the I-League last season. However, having taken charge of the Malabarians in June, he has yet to earn a point — one that he would look to change on Wednesday.
Mohammedan Sporting, on the other hand, will have a chance to find hope on the field amid times of severe financial crisis off it, with a reserve squad that has Thokchom Adison Singh as its most promising forward.