ISL coaches upset at uncertainty over Super Cup

Panaji: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is yet to confirm the schedule for the Super Cup, leaving senior coaches worried about players’ fitness for the rest of the season.

The season-ending Super Cup includes participation from all teams from the top-tier ISL and select sides from the I-League. This season, the AIFF is expected to host the tournament in a knockout format with Goa being discussed as one of the possible venues.

A spot at the continental championships for the winners makes the tournament an important one.

While the AIFF has informed the Goa Football Association (GFA) that the tournament is expected to start around April 18, there has been no official word yet from the federation.

“For me, it’s incredible how we (still) don’t know if there will be a Super Cup or not, where it will be held,” FC Goa and India coach Manolo Marquez said during the pre-match media interaction on Wednesday. “This is the one aspect that India must improve. We need to know the schedule, the calendar, the fixtures, so that you can plan how to train, when to provide rest, when you can push the players (to train more). It’s important to know because of the physical aspect and health of players.”

The India coach said the uncertainty over the Super Cup is not just his concern but, understandably, several other coaches too.

“Every coach is thinking similarly. I spoke with two coaches, and they are thinking the same. We are now in February, and we don’t know about the Super Cup. We don’t know if the winners of the ISL (Trophy) will qualify for Asian competition, or it will be the winner of the Super Cup. We must improve in these aspects. There is no other way,” said Manolo.

East Bengal won the last edition of the Super Cup, held during the AFC Asian Cup in Jan 2024, with 16 teams including four from the I-League. The Kolkata giants ended their 12-year national trophy drought with an extra time win against Odisha FC and qualified for the preliminary rounds of the AFC Champions League 2.



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