FC Goa eye a top of the group finish in the AIFF Super Cup

An all-Indian Inter Kashi stands in the way of Gaurs.

In what could potentially be a classic battle of David vs Goliath, Inter Kashi will take on the champions and hosts FC Goa at the JLN Stadium in Fatorda, Goa, on Wednesday, October 29th 2025, in the AIFF Super Cup.

Both teams are coming off of strong displays as FC Goa spoiled Jamshedpur’s plans for revenge by a comprehensive 2-0 victory, while Inter Kashi held their own against Durand Cup champions NorthEast United FC in a brave 2-2 draw.

The Stakes

FC Goa

For FC Goa, one hand on the semi-final spot is on the line. Already at the top of the group with 3 points, another win may take them beyond the reach of the likes of NorthEast United and Jamshedpur. It will give them breathing space ahead of the final fixture against Juan Pedro Benali’s Highlanders.

After a horrifying stint with the Indian National Football Team, Manolo Marquez will be eager to showcase just how good his managerial skills are and defend the Super Cup in their own backyard.

Goa has had a good record in continental competitions, and a spot in the semifinal will bring them one step closer to rubbing shoulders with the big names of Asian Football.

Inter Kashi

Despite not having their Spanish mastermind, Antonio Lopez Habas, on the touchline or the foreign players, the 2024/25 I-League champions did not shy away from a tussle against Alaeddine Ajarie and his teammates on Sunday.

Goals by Harmanpreet Singh and Karthik Panicker allowed Inter Kashi FC to bring the score on level terms and crush NEUFC’s complacency. A repeat of the same would be truly astounding, given the form FC Goa is in.

Recently losing by a narrow margin to Asian heavyweights Al Nassr, a match against Kashi looks easy on paper. Except that it won’t, and the all-Indian lineup that walks out in the Goan rain will try their best to ensure that.

Team News

Manolo Marquez has the full squad fit and at his disposal with no injuries.

Inter Kashi will still be without their foreigners and head coach with visa issues yet to be cleared. Goalkeeping coach Abhijit Mondal will continue to lead the boys from the touchline for now.

Head-to-Head record

Games Played: 1

FC Goa: 1

Inter Kashi: 0

Draws: 0

Predicted Lineup

Inter Kashi (4-1-4-1)

Shubham Das (GK), Aritra Das, Ashray Bhardwaj, Kojam Beyong, Sandip Mandi, Karthick Panicker, Wayne Vaz, Prabir Das, Haobam Tomba Singh, Harmanpreet Singh, Sumeet Passi

FC Goa (4-4-2)

Hrithik Tiwari (GK); Boris, David Timor, Akash Sangwan, Brison Fernandes; Udanta Singh, Sandesh Jhinghan, Ayush Chhetri, Javi Siverio; Dezan Drazic, Borja Herrera

Player to Watch

Borja Herrera

Into his fourth season in Indian club football, Borja Herrera hasn’t lost any of the guile and spark that he had shown in his Hyderabad FC days under Manolo Marquez. Now reunited with the boss (who also coached him in Las Palmas) in the orange of FC Goa, Herrera has become crucial to the side in his usual role of the playmaker.

Against a team like Inter Kashi that is expected to play in a low block and attack on counters, it is the trickery of Borja Herrera that can fetch FC Goa all three points. His technical ability on the ball allows him to hold it for sustainable periods, and a wand of a left foot finds him the odd goal once in a while. Long rangers too, could come in handy against Kashi, as all eyes will be on the Spanish maestro.

Did you know?

• Inter Kashi head coach Antonio Lopez Habas has had bad blood with FC Goa, having received a four-match ban from the AIFF in 2014 after he, as Zico described at the time, “punched Robert Pires”.
• FC Goa’s clean sheet against Jamshedpur was the first since the Durand Cup final against the same opponents.
• Despite playing their last I-League match on April 6th, Inter Kashi were crowned champions officially on July 18th, 2025.

Telecast Details

The Super Cup clash between Inter Kashi and FC Goa will take place on Wednesday (29 October, 2025) at the Fatorda Stadium, Goa. It will kick off at 7:30 PM IST. The match will be shown live on the Star Sports network and streamed live on JioHotstar.

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