The Kalinga Super Cup is poised to commence this month, with the groups now finalized. This edition of the tournament promises to be a grand spectacle as teams from the Indian Super League (ISL), specifically Kerala Blasters FC, NorthEast United FC, and Jamshedpur FC, alongside I-League representative Shillong Lajong FC, find themselves drawn in Group B. The quest for a quarter-final spot is underway, with the added allure that the competition winners secure a direct entry into the 2024-25 AFC Champions League 2 Group stages.

Also Read: Kalinga Super Cup 2024, Group A Preview: Kolkata Giants tussle with Hyderabad FC

Within Group B, the dynamics are intriguing, with all four teams – Kerala Blasters FC, NorthEast United FC, Jamshedpur FC, and Shillong Lajong FC – navigating a landscape where each side harbours a point to prove, rendering it a group laden with both complexity and interest.

Group B Teams

Sl No.

Teams

1.

Kerala Blasters FC

2.

NorthEast United FC

3.

Jamshedpur FC

4.

Shillong Lajong FC

Group B Fixtures

Date

Time

Match

Venue

January 10, 2024

14:00

Kerala Blasters FC vs Shillong Lajong

Kalinga Stadium Pitch 1

January 10, 2024

19:30

NorthEast United FC vs Jamshedpur FC

Kalinga Stadium Main Pitch

January 15, 2024

14:00

NorthEast United FC vs Shillong Lajong

Kalinga Stadium Pitch 1

January 15, 2024

19:30

Kerala Blasters FC vs Jamshedpur FC

Kalinga Stadium Main Pitch

January 20, 2024

14:00

Jamshedpur FC vs Shillong Lajong

Kalinga Stadium Pitch 1

January 20, 2024

19:30

Kerala Blasters FC vs NorthEast United FC

Kalinga Stadium Main Pitch

Talking points

Kerala Blasters FC look to bounce back

Having ended 2023 on a strong note, Kerala Blasters FC will shift their focus to the Super Cup. The Blasters currently sit atop the ISL table with an impressive 26 points from 12 games. That has included eight wins, two draws, and two losses. Having beaten two strong teams Mumbai City FC and Mohun Bagan Super Giant recently, Kerala Blasters FC will be high on confidence.

But the Kalinga Super Cup will pose a different challenge, a tournament where the Blasters have typically struggled. In the past three editions, they have made it past the group stages just once. The last time they did was in 2018. In the previous edition, the Blasters finished third in their group comprising Bengaluru FC, Punjab FC, and Sreenidi Deccan. Having ended 2023 on a positive note, they will be looking to better their performances in the tournament, but it won’t be a walk in the park.

Attack holds key for NorthEast United FC

NorthEast United FC comes into this tournament after a 1-1 draw against FC Goa in their last game before the international break. They sit sixth in the ISL league table with 12 points from 12 games and have recorded just two wins in the league so far.

They are among the lowest-scoring teams in the league with 13 goals, and they will look to improve on this statistic when they begin their Kalinga Super Cup campaign. It goes without saying that their attack is going to be vital if they have to make it to the next round.

NorthEast United FC stunned one and all in the previous edition of the tournament, finishing top of their group that had Mumbai City FC, Chennaiyin FC, and Churchill Brothers FC. Under the guidance of interim head coach Floyd Pinto, they reached the semi-final after a disappointing ISL 2022-23 season. Their campaign came to an end after a defeat to Odisha FC, the eventual champions. However, the Highlanders were among the best-attacking teams in the league. They finished as the joint-highest scoring team in the previous edition alongside Odisha FC despite playing one game less. Their attack will be key to their fortunes again.

First big test for Khalid Jamil at Jamshedpur FC

New Jamshedpur FC head coach Khalid Jamil will look to kickstart his tenure at his new club on a positive note starting with the Kalinga Super Cup.

Jamshedpur FC enters this tournament after a 4-1 loss against Odisha FC ahead of the international break. They sit in 10th position in the ISL league table with nine points from 12 games and have notched just two wins so far this season.

Having struggled under former head coach Scott Cooper, they will look to fix their performances in the Kalinga Super Cup. And it is now up to Jamil to fix the issues plaguing them. Jamil is no stranger to Indian football, with rich experience and a proven track record. It will be a challenge for him to get Jamshedpur FC to perform to their standards again, but like in the past at his previous clubs, Jamil has proven his ability to get the best out of teams that have been struggling.

Related tags:

Jamshedpur FCKerala Blasters FCNorthEast United FC2023-2024