Kerala Blasters FC vs Mohun Bagan: Key player battles to watch out for in Kalinga Super Cup 2025

Kerala Blasters FC will be looking to record a statement win over the Mariners.

Mohun Bagan are set to face off against Kerala Blasters FC in the quarterfinals of the 2025 Kalinga Super Cup on Saturday (26 April). This will be the Mariners’ first clash in the tournament, as they face a confident Tuskers side who picked up a big win over East Bengal in the Round of 16.

The Mariners have excluded the majority of the key players from their 2024-25 Indian Super League (ISL) squad for the contingent that have travelled for the Super Cup. The Kolkata giants’ squad is made up of a few first-team players and a host of reserve and youth team players as well.

Irrespective of that, Mohun Bagan still have a pretty competitive squad that can take the fight to Kerala Blasters FC. This should be a pretty entertaining, eventful clash between the two ISL sides.

However, it’ll be a few individual battles which will decide which team moves forward to the semi-final. Here we look at the three key battles to watch in the Mohun Bagan-Kerala Blasters FC clash.

3. Aibanbha Dohling vs Ashique Kuruniyan

Ashique Kuruniyan had a pretty explosive end to the 2024-25 ISL campaign, producing some bright performances towards the end of the campaign. However, the winger knows that he can amplify his chances of getting more regular playing time with the Mariners next season if able to shine in the Super Cup. Kuruniyan had zero goal contributions in the ISL, something he aims to fix in the cup competition.

He will be look to be a menacing figure bursting through the left flank into key areas and get things done in the final third. However, the Mohun Bagan faces a stern challenge against the proactive Aibanbha Dohling in the flank. The 29-year-old should get to start in this clash and will look to use his experience and hard-working nature to frustrate Ashique.

Dohling will need to be on his toes through the game in tracking the winger’s runs and coming up with clutch challenges. Ashique has to be smart with his movement to get the better of the defender and drive into the danger areas in the final third. He’ll also need to be decisive with his final passes or shots on goal to be a real terror for Kerala Blasters FC.

ALSO READ: Kalinga Super Cup 2025: Quarterfinal fixtures set

2. Vibin Mohanan vs Sahal Abdul Samad

Sahal Abdul Samad will be determined to knock his former club out of the Kalinga Super Cup with a clinical performance in the quarterfinal. The Indian midfielder is coming off a relatively topsy-turvy campaign in the ISL, where he only managed one assist and zero goals in 18 appearances.

That is why he’ll be even more determined to be decisive in the Kerala Blasters FC half in creating chances or getting at the end of them. However, Sahal can expect a stiff battle in the midfield against the energetic Vibin Mohanan.

The Kerala Blasters FC midfielder has a reputation for being a stifling figure in the midfield, in being able to win back possession in key areas and provide defensive solidity to his backline. Sahal will need to be really smart and tap into his unpredictable nature to get the better of Vibin.

Mohanan will try to disrupt Sahal’s playing style by employing an aggressive style to dispossess him off possession, but the Mohun Bagan midfielder needs to be composed. He needs to be smart in getting the ball in open areas, which can allow him to run the show against Kerala Blasters FC and amplify the Mariners’ attacking threat.

1. Jesus Jimenez vs Nuno Reis

Nuno Reis is poised to finally make his debut for Mohun Bagan in their upcoming Kalinga Super Cup opener against the Kerala Blasters FC. The 34-year-old defender has the experience of having played for teams like Panathainakos and Metz in the past, and will bring some much needed seniority to this relatively young Mohun Bagan side.

He will also be facing a stern challenge against Kerala Blasters FC’s dangerous frontman Jesus Jimenez in his debut for the Mariners. Jimenez produced a clinical performance against East Bengal, slotting home a decisive penalty and being a pest for their defenders with his clever positioning and movement. He’ll look to frustrate Reis and disrupt his playing style with a proactive performance in the quarterfinal.

Reis has to be smart with his positioning and when it comes to committing into challenges, being precise with his challenges and clearances. Jimenez will look to ruin the Portuguese defender’s debut by being at his ruthless best in the final third for the Tuskers.

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