Team Herald
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MARGAO: Defending Super Cup champions FC Goa return under the Fatorda lights for one of the tournament’s marquee clashes as they face arch-rivals Mumbai City FC in the AIFF Super Cup 2025 semi-final at the Nehru Stadium, on Thursday, at 8 pm.
For the Gaurs, the knockout comes at the end of a demanding run that may give them a decisive edge. While domestic football has been on pause, FC Goa have logged more competitive minutes than any ISL side over the last three months: an AFC Champions League Two qualifier against Al Seeb (Oman), three Super Cup group games and five ACL Two fixtures against opponents from Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Tajikistan. With all Asian travel complete, they return home battle-hardened and in rhythm.
Head Coach Manolo Marquez made clear he favours Goa’s momentum over Mumbai’s long layoff. Asked which scenario he preferred, he said:
“I would prefer to be in FC Goa’s position with more training and more games, although I don’t know, maybe Mumbai must’ve played a couple of friendlies too. Always, to play in a competition like the AFC Champions League Two against very good teams should be better. Again, it’s one game, knockout, 90 or 120 minutes, and anything can happen.”
Mumbai City FC arrive without a competitive match in nearly a month, though Marquez emphasised their pedigree, calling them “a quality team, with four quality foreigners, an experienced coach, and many Indian national team players.” The Islanders must quickly find rhythm against a Goa side accustomed to high-intensity fixtures.
Goa concluded their group campaign strongly despite a narrow defeat to NorthEast United with a rotated squad. The champions are expected to restore a settled XI for the semi-final.
Young defender Ronney Wilson, already featuring in both ACL and Super Cup matches, highlighted the squad’s growth:
“Playing for FC Goa in the Champions League has helped not just me but all the other players. It’s helped us improve a lot… The feeling within the team and the dressing room is really good now, and our bond is strong thanks to all these games. We are looking forward to the next challenges coming our way.”
Their last meeting with Mumbai came in February 2025, when the Gaurs produced one of their season’s standout performances—a 1–3 win in Mumbai, inspired by an Iker Guarrotxena brace and a Borja Herrera strike. Goa will look to draw from that display as they chase another final.
In the first semi-final, unbeaten Punjab FC meet East Bengal after both topped their groups with seven points, at 4 pm. Punjab advanced via penalties after a goalless draw with Bengaluru FC, following 3–0 wins over Gokulam Kerala and Mohammedan SC. Coach Panagiotis Dilmperis regains Muhammad Suhail but loses Muhammed Uvais to suspension. East Bengal drew 2-2 with Dempo, thrashed Chennaiyin 4-0 and held Mohun Bagan 0-0 to progress on goal difference.
