Kalinga Super Cup, Group C Preview: MCFC, CFC, PFC vie for semifinal spot
Mumbai City FC, Chennaiyin FC, Punjab FC, and Gokulam Kerala FC gear up for an intense battle, vying for the coveted semifinal spot.
The Kalinga Super Cup 2024 is all set to kick off on Wednesday, and teams will have their sights set on the trophy, which not only adds silverware to the trophy cabinet but also provides the winner with an opportunity to gain a direct entry into the 2024-25 AFC Champions League 2 Group stages.
In Group C of the Kalinga Super Cup, three ISL clubs—Mumbai City FC, Chennaiyin FC, and Punjab FC—are joined by Gokulam Kerala FC from the I-League. They will all vie for the top spot in Group C and advance to the semifinals.
Also Read: Kalinga Super Cup, Group D preview: Uncertainty surrounds group of death
Mumbai City FC will aim to steady their ship under their new head coach, Petr Kratky, and further have their eyes on adding the Super Cup to their trophy cabinet.
Chennaiyin FC and Punjab FC, on the other hand, will look to improve their form in the Super Cup and pose a challenge for the top spot in the group.
Meanwhile, Gokulam Kerala FC will add spice to the group and will surely aim to make their mark and pull off a surprise in Group C.
Group C Teams
Sl No. | Teams |
1 | Mumbai City FC |
2 | Chennaiyin FC |
3 | Punjab FC |
4 | Gokulam Kerala FC |
Fixtures
Date | Time | Match | Venue |
January 11, 2024 | 02:00 PM | Mumbai City FC vs Gokulam Kerala FC | Kalinga Stadium Pitch 1 |
January 11, 2024 | 07:30 PM | Chennaiyin FC vs Punjab FC | Kalinga Stadium Main Pitch |
January 16, 2024 | 02:00 PM | Chennaiyin FC vs Gokulam Kerala FC | Kalinga Stadium Pitch 1 |
January 16, 2024 | 07:30 PM | Mumbai City FC vs Punjab FC | Kalinga Stadium Main Pitch |
January 21, 2024 | 02:00 PM | Punjab FC vs Gokulam Kerala FC | Kalinga Stadium Pitch 1 |
January 21, 2024 | 07:30 PM | Mumbai City FC vs Chennaiyin FC | Kalinga Stadium Main Pitch |
Talking points
Mumbai City FC: The Islanders eye to clinch first silverware under Petr Kratky
𝐉𝐀𝐍𝐔𝐀𝐑𝐘 𝐅𝐈𝐗𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄𝐒 🚨⚽#TheIslanders will head to Bhubaneswar to begin the new year with the Kalinga Super Cup 2024 🤩#MumbaiCity #AamchiCity 🔵 pic.twitter.com/Spi2zhSxIR
— Mumbai City FC (@MumbaiCityFC) January 2, 2024
Mumbai City FC will aim to build on their league form in the Kalinga Super Cup. They are coming off an outstanding 3-0 win over Chennaiyin FC, whom they will once again face in the group stages of the Super Cup.
However, it will be interesting to see how the Islanders perform in the absence of their key Indian players, who are currently on national team duty for the AFC Asian Cup.
Nevertheless, they have enough bench strength who can step up and showcase their mettle. The new head coach, Petr Kratky, will be looking to utilize this tournament to help his players gel together more effectively.
Chennaiyin FC: Time for Owen Coyle to fix his defensive woes
புது ஆண்டு, புது சவால்! 👊⚔️
— Chennaiyin F.C. (@ChennaiyinFC) January 5, 2024
Next up: Super Cup ⏭️🔜#AllInForChennaiyin #KalingaSuperCup pic.twitter.com/QAAMrMnu9I
Chennaiyin FC have been conceding a significant number of goals this season in the Indian Super League, with 22 goals against them. This makes them the team that has conceded the most goals in the league so far this season. Owen Coyle will aim to address this issue as his side begin their Super Cup campaign in Bhubaneswar.
Also Read: Chennaiyin FC rope in Mobashir Rahman on loan from East Bengal FC
The Marina Machans have already announced the signing of Mobashir Rahman on loan from East Bengal FC. Head coach Owen Coyle is eager to add more quality and strength to his side, using the Super Cup as a platform to improve their overall performance this season.
Punjab FC: Can the Shers pull off a surprise?
The newest entrant to the ISL have found it challenging so far, securing only one win in the league out of 12 matches. They aim to regain their rhythm this season with a commendable performance in the Super Cup, hoping for a strong comeback in the latter stages of the ISL.
Also Read: Kalinga Super Cup, Group A Preview: Kolkata Giants tussle with Hyderabad FC
However, they face a tough challenge not only from the two ISL sides but also from Gokulam Kerala FC, whom they beat twice last in the I-League.