Top five defenders to watch out for in Kalinga Super Cup 2025

Stephen Eze aims to secure the continental spot for the Red Miners.

It is rightly said that attack wins you matches. However, it is defence that wins you tournaments like the Kalinga Super Cup 2025. The ISL Goal tally has risen from 384 goals in 2023-24 to 468 this season (2024-25). At a time when strikers are dominating the game, the need for a resilient and strong defence becomes inevitable.

Despite strikers like Sunil Chhetri and Alaeddine Ajaraie finding the back of the net in almost every single game, some defenders stood strong as a lone warrior for their club. From Sandesh Jhinghan marshalling the Goan defence to Eze emerging out as the nightmare for strikers, some defenders have played a crucial role in helping their side win silverware in this season of ISL and I-League.

In a knockout tournament like the Kalinga Super Cup 2025, where every game is a do-or-die one, the scope of fallacy must tend to zero. We take a look at some of the finest defenders to watch out for in the upcoming edition of the Kalinga Super Cup 2025.

5. Anwar Ali (East Bengal FC)

Anwar’s story is nothing less inspiring as he is the epitome of the human fighting spirit. Despite being diagnosed with a rare heart disease, which stood between him and his dreams to play football, he stood out tall against all the odds. The 24-year-old defensive stalwart from Adampur made 18 appearances for the East Bengal FC outfit this season.

Amidst a season marred by inconsistency, injuries, internal disputes, and regime change, Anwar left no stone unturned in the pitch for the Red and Yellow Brigade. The Kalinga Super Cup 2025 presents a great opportunity for Anwar and East Bengal FC to salvage their pride and retain their championship in this competition.

4. Tiri (Mumbai City FC)

One of the most veteran and experienced defenders to ever play in the ISL, Jose Luis Espinosa Arroyo, would be keen to make his mark for Petr Kratky’s outfit. After a disappointing 5-0 thrashing of the Islanders in the hands of the Blues, Mumbai would be keen to stabilise their defence.

Tiri has featured across 21 games for the West Coast Brigade. In those outings, he managed to score one goal and two assists. His pinpoint accurate passes coupled with his aerial duels could turn out to be the X Factor for Mumbai City FC. They will play their first game against a mighty Chennaiyin FC, led by Owen Coyle, in the Kalinga Super Cup 2025.

ALSO READ: How East Bengal FC can win Kalinga Super Cup 2025?

3. Subashish Bose (Mohun Bagan)

The Mohun Bagan captain will have to do the unthinkable to help the Mariners win the treble in this footballing calendar. Despite getting a bye after Churchill Brothers withdrew from the Kalinga Super Cup 2025, the Mariners will face either East Bengal or Kerala Blasters in the quarter-finals.

With rumours of Mohun Bagan Super Giant fielding an all Indian squad, the pressure and the responsibility will exponentially amplify on Bose’s shoulders. He has emerged as a defensive stalwart for the Mariners. He can instil the faith in his players to win the Kalinga Super Cup 2025 with an all Indian lineup and create history.

2. Sandesh Jhinghan (FC Goa)

After a shaky start to the ISL season for the Gaurs, Jhinghan’s arrival injected a different level of enthusiasm into the squad. This would be Manolo Marquez’s last ever tournament as a FC Goa gaffer, and Jhinghan would be keen to give a proper farewell to the Spaniard before he takes on his national team duties.

Jhinghan helped Goa to secure seven clean sheets in the ISL season. His 85% passing accuracy reflects his ability to find effective gaps. He would be keen to help Goa overcome the Gokulam challenge before facing either of Punjab or the home side in the quarter finals of Kalinga Super Cup 2025.

1. Stephen Eze (Jamshedpur FC)

If any team has won a lot of hearts in this ISL season, it has to be Khalid Jamil’s Jamshedpur FC. The main protagonist of this fairytale story has been the Nigerian centre back, Stephen Eze. Had he featured in the final leg of the semi-finals against Mohun Bagan in Kolkata, Jamshedpur FC could have made it to their first-ever ISL Finals.

Bygones are bygones, and Stephen Eze will be crucial in helping Jamshedpur FC to win the Kalinga Super Cup 2025. They will most likely face their knockout opponents, North East United FC, in the quarter-finals. Eze would be keen to not just offer defensive stability but also to make those headed balls find the back of the net during set-pieces.

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