Hero Super Cup 2023: Top five matches to look out for

The competition begins on the 8th of April.

The Super Cup is fast approaching, as teams prepare to participate in one of India’s biggest competitions. All ISL teams and five I-League teams make up the team roster for this year’s Super Cup, which starts on the 8th of April when Bengaluru FC take on Sreenidi Deccan.

All 16 teams have been divided into groups of four, with the winner from each group qualifying for the Semi Final round of the competition.

Also, The champions of this event will play an additional play-off against Gokulam Kerala, the champions of 2021–22 I-League for a place in the group stage of 2023–24 AFC Cup. If Gokulam Kerala or Mumbai City win the 2023 Super Cup, then Gokulam will automatically qualify for 2023–24 AFC Cup group stage and the qualifier match will not be played in such a case. Due to these various reasons, this will be the very first time, that the Super Cup champions will have a chance to participate in an AFC competition.

With India’s top clubs from both the ISL and I-League competing in this year’s Super Cup, we can be sure of tons of exciting games being played in the next few days. But out of all these fixtures, there are particularly some, that are sure to capture our interest like no other and are undoubtedly the most awaited.

So here’s a list of the top 5 matches to look out for in the 2022-23 Super Cup.

5. NorthEast United FC vs Chennaiyin FC

NorthEast VS Chennai was undoubtedly one of the most electrifying and exciting games this ISL season and had plenty of goals and drama. The game was indeed the highest-scoring fixture last season, as there were 17 goals in just two games between the two teams. The first game ended with a whopping 7-3 result in Chennai’s favour, while the other also finished with a full-time score of 4-3, as a late Chennaiyin winner sealed the deal for them.

Both teams’ preparations ahead of the Hero Super Cup have been strong, and both sides will be playing with their first team. Also, with the signing of Alisher Kholmurodov, NorthEast have further bolstered their defense and can prove to make the job difficult for Brdaric and his men on the 11th of April.

4.  Hyderabad vs Odisha FC

Hyderabad have enjoyed a pretty good season so far, and have had much success in the ISL. The team came second in the league table behind Mumbai City FC, and were definitely a tough and rigid opponent to come up against, and will try their very best to continue this impressive form in the Super Cup as well. But despite being on paper the best team in their group, one team might pose a problem for the Black and Yellow, in their semi-final hopes, and that is Odisha FC.

After a historic ISL season that saw the Kalinga warriors qualify for the playoffs round, Odisha are all set to make an impact in the Super Cup as well, and it will be very intriguing to see what ensues when both these heavyweights take it to the field, in a game that might very well decide Group B’s fate.

3. ATK Mohun Bagan vs Gokulam Kerala FC

ATK Mohun Bagan and Gokulam Kerela are two of the most impressive teams in Indian club football this season. The Mariners have recently won the ISL trophy, whereas Gokulam have been a remarkable team all season long, finishing 3rd in the league, and claiming a triumphant 5-2 win over Mohammedan SC in the qualifiers round of the Super Cup.

Mohun Bagan are a resilient and rigid attacking unit, whereas Gokulam have one of the strongest defensive contingents in the entire league, so it will be truly alluring to witness their battle when the two teams face in their Super Cup opener on the 10th.

2. Bengaluru FC vs RoundGlass Punjab FC

Bengaluru FC have been one of the best teams in the ISL this season and were very unfortunate to have ended the ISL season with a defeat in the final. Their turnaround at the onset of the new year was absolutely remarkable, and there was no team who could stop the Blues.

RoundGlass on the other hand, were recently crowned as the I-League winners after their scintillating performances throughout the season, which saw them muster up 52 points on the board, and earn the chance to potentially clinch a deserved promotion to the ISL.

All these factors, added to the tough challenge that group A poses, will make this fixture heavily awaited by the spectators, and it will be undoubtedly a clash of two titans.

1 . Bengaluru FC vs Kerela Blasters FC

The biggest highlight of the group stages of the Super Cup will be the fixture between Kerala Blasters and Bengaluru FC. Both these teams share a historic rivalry, and the intensity of their rivalry has reached its peak, following the events that took place in their playoff game in the ISL. Kerala players staged a walkout following Sunil Chhetri’s controversial goal.

Both these teams have also put up great performances throughout the season, and the quality of football played whenever these two teams meet is unquestionable. Also, the game will be their last group-stage fixture, which means that there can be a lot at stake for both teams when they take to the field once again.

Due to these various reasons, it can be very well exclaimed without a shadow of a doubt, that Bengaluru vs Kerala Blasters is easily the most awaited and the most exciting fixture, that is to be played in the Super Cup 2023.