By L A Adithya
In a nail-biting encounter, FC Goa saw off SC East Bengal in the final of the AIFF Super Cup on Sunday at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium to clinch the title for a record-breaking third time, to book their seat at the AFC Champions League 2. The match was decided after the Gaurs beat East Bengal 6-5 in a penalty shootout after neither side could break the deadlock in normal time or in the additional 30 minutes of extra time.
Coming into the final, East Bengal and FC Goa faced Punjab FC and Mumbai City FC, respectively, where the Red and Gold Brigade beat Punjab comfortably by a scoreline of 3-1, while the Gaurs had to battle it out with a narrow margin of 2-1.
The game was tightly contested as both sides were getting opportunities to slot one in. Despite East Bengal gaining the upper hand in momentum in the first half, FC Goa started to find its rhythm and grew into the game toward the end of it. Chances came begging as a swift and precise cross from Bipin Singh into the box was met with Mahesh Singh Naorem’s lurking left foot, only to be comfortably saved by the Goan goalkeeper.
Both teams failed to capitalize on the opportunities, taking the game to a tie-breaker. 4 out of the first 5 spot kicks were converted by both teams, the exceptions being Borja Herrera from FC Goa and East Bengal’s Mohammed Rashid. With both teams level, PV Vishnu missed his effort for East Bengal, which paved the way for Sahil Tavora to net in his spot kick to bring home the title back to Goa.
It was a testament win for FC Goa to be able to snatch the title from the defending champions, prevailing over the supposed favourites, given the current crisis and state of Indian football amidst the Indian Super League (ISL) being halted indefinitely.