The Kalinga Super Cup begins from the January 9 with much fanfare and excitement. At a time when the Indian Super League (ISL) is on a break and the AFC Asian Cup beckons for the Indian National Football Team, teams will be hoping to use this tournament as a stepping stone for greater success in the league. There are teams who are in the middle of a rough patch and there are also teams who are dominating in the league. Winning the Super Cup trophy or a semi-final finish will go a long way in changing the course of their season for the better.

There have been many moments of awe and magic and many surprises over the years in this tournament. From surprising triumphs to magnificent displays by individual players, here's a look at the best moments in the history of the Super Cup.

Clifford Miranda becomes the first Indian head coach to win the Super Cup

Odisha FC sprung a surprise in the previous edition of the Super Cup in 2023. They won the trophy with Indian head coach Clifford Miranda at the helm. Miranda became the first-ever Indian head coach to win the Super Cup. Odisha FC went undefeated from the group stage till the final game, scoring 11 goals along the way.

Sunil Chhetri becomes the first ever hattrick scorer of the Super Cup 

Indian Football Legend Sunil Chhetri etched his name in Super Cup history when he scored the first-ever hattrick in the competition with three well taken goals against Neroca FC. Chettri had scored a total of four goals in the competition to help his side clinch their first ever Super Cup trophy victory. He also scored a goal in the final against East Bengal FC.

FC Goa's first piece of silverware

FC Goa won their first ever trophy when they clinched the Super Cup trophy during the 2019 edition of the tournament. Head coach Sergio Lobera was the mastermind behind their incredible run in the competition. They started the tournament with a 3-0 victory against a young but tough Indian Arrows side. A clash against Jamshedpur FC followed which became one of the most intense matches the Super Cup has seen till date. The Gaurs had taken 2-0 lead at half time and extended it to a 4-1 lead by the 74th minute of the game before Jamshedpur FC scored two quick-fire goals to turn the final minutes of the second half into a frantic game. FC Goa however managed to hold on to their lead and won the game to enter the semi-finals. 

FC Goa beat Chennai City FC by a 3-0 margin and reached the final of the competition where they faced Chennaiyin FC. 

They beat Chennaiyin FC by a 2-1 margin in the final to clinch their first ever piece of silverware in the Super Cup.

They scored 12 goals throughout the tournament and conceded just four times.

Odisha FC's surprise Super Cup triumph 

Odisha FC won their first major trophy with their triumph in the 2023 Super Cup. They were a dominating side who constantly pressed and attacked teams throughout the tournament. Their attack was one of the best in the tournament with 11 goals scored throughput the tournament. Their defence also looked rock solid as they conceded just four times throughout the tournament. 

Odisha FC had started their tournament with a 1-1 draw against East Bengal FC in their first group stage match. They won their next group matches against Aizawl FC and Hyderabad FC by a 3-0 and 2-1 margin respectively. 

They reached the semi-final to play NorthEast United who themselves had been having a brilliant run in the competition. Odisha FC blew them away with a 3-1 victory. 

They met Bengaluru FC in the final and won the game by a 2-1 scoreline courtesy of two Diego Mauricio goals. Bengaluru FC forward Sunil Chhetri had reduced the deficit in the dying minutes of the game with a well taken penalty kick but it was not enough to hurt Odisha FC, who would eventually go on to win their maiden trophy as a club.

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Odisha FCFC Goa2023-2024 Clifford MirandaSunil Chhetri