FC Goa and Jamshedpur FC will battle it out for the Kalinga Super Cup crown on Saturday in Bhubaneswar as they aim to close their seasons with a trophy.

The Gaurs are hoping to become the first team to win the Kalinga Super Cup on more than one occasion while Jamshedpur FC are aiming to win their first-ever title.

Manolo Marquez’s men have been flamboyant in the cup so far scoring eight goals in three matches and seeing off Indian Super League (ISL) opponents like Punjab FC and Mohun Bagan Super Giant on their way to the final.

Khalid Jamil’s men have been rock solid and are yet to concede a goal in this season’s competition. They have beaten ISL opposition in every round – Hyderabad FC in Round of 16, NorthEast United FC in the quarter-finals and Mumbai City FC in the semi-finals.

As the two sides gear up to lock horns in the final, we analyse where this game could be won and lost.

Here are three individual battles that could determine the fate of the Kalinga Super Cup.

Iker Guarrotxena vs Stephen Eze

The Spaniard is the leading goalscorer in the Kalinga Super Cup with four goals to his name and has been in fine form for FC Goa this season. He has seven goals and three assists to his name in the ISL this season and is a huge threat for any team inside the box.

His clever movement and a knack to be at the right place at the right time makes him a lethal weapon in Manolo Marquez’s system that enables FC Goa to enjoy a lot of possession and Guarrotxena is tasked with finishing off the FC Goa moves, a task that he has carried out with great quality so far.

However, he will be up against one of the best centre-backs in the league in Stephen Eze. The Nigerian is a rock in the Jamshedpur FC backline that is yet to concede a goal in the Kalinga Super Cup this edition. He commands the entire backline and is a supreme presence in the air. His physicality will be key for the Men of Steel to counter the presence of Guarrotxena and this battle could be decisive in which way the final goes.

Borja Herrera vs Javi Hernandez

The two midfield maestros will look to exert themselves on the game and dictate the tempo of proceedings. Borja Herrera and Javi Hernandez have been key figures in the two teams’ seasons and are central to the way the two coaches play.

While Hernandez is yet to register in the Kalinga Super Cup, Herrera has scored twice for the Gaurs including a late equaliser against Punjab FC. But Hernandez proved his worth in the ISL playoffs scoring crucial goals for his team. Herrera too got on the scoresheet in the playoffs apart from his nine goal contributions in the regular league season.

This battle in the heart of the pitch could be the most crucial of the lot as the winner of this battle would allow his team to find the crucial link between attack and defence.

Hrithik Tiwari vs Albino Gomes

While this battle isn’t a direct one on the pitch, it could well decide the outcome of the match, especially if it goes the distance.

Finals are usually tight affairs with little to separate the two teams and penalties are often required to settle these kinds of games. Thus, the goalkeepers attain added significance in such crunch games and Hrithik Tiwari of FC Goa and Albino Gomes of Jamshedpur FC will have a lot of say in deciding the final outcome of this final.

Jamshedpur FC have already prevailed in a penalty shootout in their quarter-final success over NorthEast United FC. Gomes was excellent in the ISL this season with 102 saves to his name, the most by any goalkeeper in the ISL this season.

Tiwari has staved off competition to make the spot between the FC Goa sticks his own and could be afforded a chance to be immortal in the club’s history.

With plenty of attacking flair on offer in both camps, the performances of the two goalkeepers in the ninety minutes and in extra time and penalty shootout if needed can prove to be the difference between victory and defeat.