FC Goa players celebrate after Borja’s swung the ball into a crowded penalty area and caught the goalkeeper off his line during the Kalinga Super Cup 2025 semifinal at the Kalinga stadium in Bhubaneswar, on April 30, 2025.
| Photo Credit: BISWARANJAN ROUT
Manolo Marquez took another step to his dream farewell as FC Goa (FCG) beat Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG) 3-1 in the Super Cup 2025 semifinal at the Kalinga Stadium here on Wednesday.
FCG began the game on a more aggressive note, making its intentions clear with hard tackles and sliding challenges in the final third.
The constant pressure finally paid off when it won a corner in the 20th minute. Borja Herrera played the ball short on the right before getting it back and curling it into a dangerous area.
ISL’s Emerging Player of the Season, Brison Fernandes, did just enough to get ahead of Abhishek Suryavashi and get the slightest of touches to send the ball into the back of the net.
The lead, however, lasted just three minutes after Ashique Kuruniyan left his marker in the dust on the left before playing a low pass into the six-yard box, where Suhail Bhat had an easy finish.
Mohun Bagan Super Giant’s Suhail strikes against FC Goa during the Kalinga Super Cup 2025 semifinal at the Kalinga stadium in Bhubaneswar, on April 30, 2025.
| Photo Credit:
BISWARANJAN ROUT
FCG restored its lead six minutes into the second half when Dejan Drazic was brought down by Dheeraj inside the penalty box. Iker Guarrotxena stepped up to the spot and smashed the ball into the middle of the goal.
Seven minutes later, Dheeraj had another moment to forget when Borja swung the ball into a crowded penalty area and caught the goalkeeper off his line, curling it into the top-left corner to secure a healthy lead.
The result: Mohun Bagan Super Giant 1 (Suhail Bhat 23) lost to FC Goa 3 (Brison Fernandes 20, Iker Guarrotxena 51-pen, Borja Herrera 58).
Published – April 30, 2025 06:43 pm IST
Content Source: www.thehindu.com