FC Goa maintained their winning form against Jamshedpur FC in the AIFF Super Cup, beating them 2-0 in what was a repeat of the previous edition's final. Earlier on the day, NorthEast United FC played out a 2-2 draw with I-League winners Inter Kashi at the GMC Athletic Stadium in Bambolim.

NEUFC held by Inter Kashi in Group B opener

The two-time Durand Cup champions struck twice through Alaaeddine Ajaraie (18’) and Miguel Zabaco (40’) while Inter Kashi, fielding an all-Indian line-up, were first to break the deadlock through Harmanpreet Singh (5’) and again struck back through Karthik Panicker (74’) to hold the Highlanders.

In what was the first-ever encounter between the two sides, both teams delivered a spirited contest despite a rainy Bambolim pitch.

The GMC Stadium saw an intense and pacey opening half. Action kicked off at the speed of light just five minutes into the game when Inter Kashi got an early breakthrough. Harmanpreet Singh slotted home a loose ball, giving the I-League champions the lead and leaving the Highlanders’ backline unsettled.

The Durand Cup holders, however, found their groove soon. Spanish playmakers Chema Núñez and Andy Rodríguez threaded a series of clever moves, with Ajaraie and Parthib Gogoi creating close half-chances and putting the opponents’ defence to the test while causing chaos inside the box.

NorthEast United FC’s persistence bore fruit in the 18th minute when their Moroccan forward Ajaraie fired home the equaliser with a fierce first-time shot after getting on the end of Tondonba Singh’s curling cross from the left.

Capitalising on the momentum built, NorthEast United FC dominated possession, stretching the Inter Kashi defence by utilising both flanks with consistent passes. In the 40th minute, the sustained pressing was rewarded when Miguel Zabaco’s header powered past Inter Kashi keeper Shubham Dhas to give the Highlanders a 2-1 lead going into half-time.

Despite the rain, both teams came out of the tunnel strong after the break. The NEUFC defence dictated the tempo early with crisp passes among Andy, Dinesh and Redeem. Their dominance almost produced them another goal when Andy’s curling free kick flew off inches over the crossbar minutes after the restart.

Inter Kashi began to grow into the game after the hour mark as their passes grew sharper and movements more coordinated. In the 66th minute, Inter Kashi’s Sumeet Passi advanced on the right, attempting a long-range shot but missing the target by inches. The Highlanders looked sluggish by then, their tempo fading visibly in the rain.

The moment that Inter Kashi were waiting for arrived in the 74th minute. A rare breakdown of the NorthEast United FC defence left space for Karthik Panicker to capitalise on by sliding the ball neatly into the net to level the score at 2-2.

NorthEast United FC marched forward in the last 15 minutes in search of a winner, with Thoi Singh’s deflected shot and Redeem Tlang’s close header coming close, while the Inter Kashi defence stood tall and made no mistake.

Holders FC Goa defeat Jamshedpur FC by 2-0

The rainy evening continued in Goa as the action shifted to Fatorda. Defending champions FC Goa proved too strong for Jamshedpur FC once again, as the Gaurs made a perfect start to their title defence.

The pitch conditions were slightly more challenging in Fatorda, and both teams struggled to settle into their rhythm. Manolo Marquez’s side, however, was stronger in the opening quarter of the game. Borja Herrera had an opportunity for FC Goa when his corner kick rattled the woodwork, with the Spaniard continuing to prove a weapon through his in-swinging set-pieces.

Jamshedpur FC had their first opportunity within the next few minutes. New signing Raphael Messi Bouli was in open space, but his effort was parried away by Hrithik Tiwari. The Men of Steel grew in confidence as the game progressed.

Towards the end of the first half, Udanta Singh attempted a cross, which Ayush Chhetri diverted on the way for Javier Siverio, who thumped his header into the back of the net. His goal against his former side gave FC Goa the lead at the break.

The game was briefly paused at the start of the second half due to adverse weather conditions. When play resumed, the Gaurs once again controlled possession. In the 56th minute, Herrera laid it off for the overlapping Aakash Sangwan, but his shot went wide.

In the 66th minute, FC Goa doubled their lead through Dejan Drazic, who smashed a volley into the back of the net after the ball ricocheted off the post from a David Timor header.

Minutes later, Drazic positioned himself for another shot on target, but his effort was deflected for a corner. The Gaurs continued to pile pressure on the Men of Steel. Boris Singh came close, but the full-back’s effort was once again off the mark.

The defending champions took all three points and sit atop Group B, followed by NorthEast United FC and Inter Kashi FC, who have one point each. FC Goa will face Inter Kashi on Wednesday, while the Men of Steel will lock horns with the Highlanders in the opening fixture on the same day.

Related tags:

Jamshedpur FCFC GoaNorthEast United FC2025-26