Bengaluru FC and Kerala Blasters FC are set to go against each other, and yet again the southern rivalry will come alive, this time in the Hero Super Cup 2023, where the two teams are placed in the same group alongside Hero I-League teams Sreenedi Deccan and RoundGlass Punjab. RoundGlass Punjab won the Hero I-League while Sreenedi Deccan were added to Group A through a win in the qualifying round.

Bengaluru FC will be looking to win the title again after their heroics in the first edition of the Hero Super Cup in 2018.

The Blasters will be all set for revenge after their Hero ISL exit against the Blues and will have a shot at the trophy, which will be up for grabs in their home state. The tournament’s third edition will be played after a gap of four years in Kerala.

However, the Hero I-League sides will provide tough competition to the Blues and the Blasters as Group A promises a real fight for that one semi-final spot.

Group A

Sr No.	Teams
1	Bengaluru FC
2	Kerala Blasters FC
3	RoundGlass Punjab
4	Sreenedi Deccan

Group A fixtures

Date	Time	Match	Venue
April 8, 2023	5 PM IST	Bengaluru FC vs Sreenidi Deccan	EMS stadium, Kozhikode, Kerala
April 8, 2023	8:30 PM IST	Kerala Blasters FC vs RoundGlass Punjab	EMS stadium, Kozhikode, Kerala
April 12, 2023	5 PM IST	Sreenidi Deccan vs Kerala Blasters FC	EMS stadium, Kozhikode, Kerala
April 12, 2023	8:30 PM IST	RoundGlass Punjab vs Bengaluru FC	EMS stadium, Kozhikode, Kerala
April 16, 2023	5 PM IST	RoundGlass Punjab vs Sreenidi Deccan	EMS stadium, Kozhikode, Kerala
April 16, 2023	8:30 PM IST	Bengaluru FC vs Kerala Blasters FC	EMS stadium, Kozhikode, Kerala

Talking Points

Bengaluru FC: The Blues to try and win the trophy for the second time

And so it begins! ⚡️

The stage is set in Kozhikode, with Simon Grayson’s Blues set to face Sreenidi Deccan FC in their opening encounter of the 2023 #HeroSuperCup. Let’s go, boys! 🔥#WeAreBFC #NothingLikeIt ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/6YQ2FaMPPa

— Bengaluru FC (@bengalurufc) April 5, 2023

The Blues will be focused on bringing the cup home for the second time and further enriching their trophy cabinet and will look to carry their 2023 form into the Hero Super Cup. The Blues' attack will be one to watch, with youngster Sivasakthi Narayanan making a place for himself in the starting eleven, and his partnership with Roy Krishna doing wonders for the Blues. Captain Chhetri will look to break into the starting XI having made a big impact in the Hero ISL knockout stages.

However, their biggest strength will be their defence that has been very solid since the turn of the year. Having a knack for knockout football and a history of winning trophies, Bengaluru FC will be one of the favourites for the title especially given their current form.

Kerala Blasters FC: Winning silverware in their home state will be a motivation

Preparations are in full swing ahead of our #HeroSuperCup opener 👊#ഒന്നായിപോരാടാം #KBFC #KeralaBlasters pic.twitter.com/XLNpwticeb

— Kerala Blasters FC (@KeralaBlasters) April 5, 2023

The Blasters finished in the top six and qualified for the playoffs in the Hero ISL 2022-23 but failed to go all the way for yet another season. But the Blasters will look to make amends playing in their home state and try to bring silverware for the club in the third edition of the Hero Super Cup. Ivan Vukomanovic, who has always kept an eye on the youth team, will be hoping for some young players to emerge that he can absorb into the senior team. 

Can the Blasters end their wait for silverware? If so there would be no better place to do it than in Kerala.