Mohun Bagan vs FC Goa preview, team news, lineup & prediction | Kalinga Super Cup 2025

The Mariner dreams of a domestic treble hinge on a win against the Gaurs.

Mohun Bagan are set to face off against Indian Super League (ISL) rivals FC Goa in the 2025 Kalinga Super Cup semi-final on Wednesday, 30 April, 2025 at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar.

The two sides won one game apiece in their meetings in the league earlier during the 2024-25 regular season. However, the equations have now changed as a relatively weakened Mariners side looks to oust the odds by pulling off a stunning win over Manolo Marquez’s dangerous, in-form side.

The Stakes

Mohun Bagan

For the Mariners, the dream of ending this campaign with a potential domestic treble remains on the table. Mohun Bagan have not been able to achieve this feat for a long time, which is why the players are so determined to give fans this special gift. After producing an impressive display against Kerala Blasters, the Kolkata side needs to perform at an even higher level to oust the Gaurs.

They need to be strong defensively, maintaining a sturdy shape and defending as one whole unit to frustrate the Gaurs. Moreover, Mohun Bagan also needs to be decisive in taking up their chances to have a chance of winning this. A win over a side like FC Goa would be a huge momentum booster and significantly raise the players’ belief levels to win the Kalinga Super Cup. A loss to this strong side wouldn’t be the worst thing, but one the players will desperately want to avoid.

FC Goa

FC Goa are definitely taking the Super Cup seriously, knowing how winning the tournament could earn them a place in an AFC competition in the 2025/26 season. They’re coming off a dramatic win over Punjab FC, where they rallied off two late goals to book a place in the quarter-finals.

Marquez has to shape up his side to be at their dominant best against this weakened Mohun Bagan side. FC Goa should dominate possession, but the gaffer needs to get his players to be more unpredictable with their work in the final third to get a big win. A dominant win over Mohun Bagan can provide a lot of confidence to the Gaurs’ squad and give them the necessary energy levels to give their all in the final.

But it could be rather embarrassing for them to get eliminated by this iteration of a Mohun Bagan squad, which is why they’ll have to fight tooth and nail to get the victory.

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Injury & Team News

Mohun Bagan should have the same squad that featured in the win over Kerala Blasters.

FC Goa also have a fully fit squad available for this match.

Head-to-Head

This will be the first time that these two teams meet in the Kalinga Super Cup. However, they’ve faced each other plenty of times in the ISL.

Matches Played – 12

Mohun Bagan wins – 7

FC Goa wins – 4

Draws – 1

Probable Lineups

Mohun Bagan (4-2-3-1)

Dheeraj Singh (GK), Saurabh Bhanwala, Dippendu Biswas, Nuno Reis, Amandeep, Abhishek Suryaasnhi, Deepak Tangri, Salahudheen Adnan, Sahal Abdul Samad, Ashique Kuruniyan, Suhail Bhat

FC Goa (4-3-3)

Hritik Tiwari (GK), Boris Sigh, Sandesh Jhingan, Odei Onaindia, Aaksh Sangwan, Ayush Chhetri, Carl McHugh, Mohammed Yasir, Borja Herrera, Iker Guarrotxena, Dejan Drazic

Players to Watch

Ashique Kuruniyan (Mohun Bagan)

Ashique Kuruniyan is getting an ideal platform in the Kalinga Super Cup to prove his quality in that left-wing role for Mohun Bagan. He produced a thrilling display against Kerala Blasters FC, grabbing an assist and showcasing promising movement in the wide areas. He’ll now face a harder task against FC Goa and needs to be at his utmost sharpest to get things going in the final third.

Kuruniyan has to be smart in timing his runs and with his dribbles to get the better of Boris Singh & co if he’s to prove his quality against top defenders. Moreover, Ashique also has to be clear with his decision-making after breaking through into the key areas. He needs to nail his final delivery and crosses to create big chance and help his side get a big result.

Iker Guarrotxena (FC Goa)

Iker Guarrotxena has looked sharp in the Kalinga Super Cup for FC Goa and even scored a hat trick in the 3-0 win over Gokulam Kerala in the Round of 16. After having a quiet game against Punjab FC, the Spaniard needs to get back to his best for this big game against the Mariners. Guarrotxena excels with his link-up play and moving the ball forward efficiently, but it’ll be his work in the final third that will matter the most in this.

He needs to demand the ball in the key danger areas in & around the Mohun Bagan box to disrupt their defensive shape and cause their defenders to make mistakes. He also has to smart with making clever runs into the final third to create clear-cut chances for his side and also utilize his sharp finishing skills to take the game away from Mohun Bagan.

Did You Know?

• FC Goa have the second-best goal record in the Super Cup so far with five goals from two games.
• Suhail Bhat is the youngest goal-scorer in the Kalinga Super Cup this season.
• FC Goa were one of the three teams to have defeated Mohun Bagan in the 2024-25 ISL campaign.

Telecast Details

The Kalinga Super Cup semifinal between Mohun Bagan and FC Goa will take place on Wednesday, 30 April 2025 at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar. The match will kick off at 4:30 PM IST. It will be shown live on Star Sports and live-streamed on the JioHotstar app.

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