The Hero Super Cup 2023 groups are finalised and teams are ready to begin their campaign and make their mark in the prestigious tournament. Powerhouses of Indian football i.e Hyderabad FC, Odisha FC, East Bengal FC and Aizawl FC, will lock their horns in group B to fight for the top spot and to make it to the semi-final.

All four teams would be looking to secure the silverware for the season after failing to fulfil their ambitions in Hero ISL and Hero I-League respectively. Hyderabad FC would look to get their hands on the trophy after finishing second in the Hero ISL league campaign and then losing in the semi-finals to eventual winners ATK Mohun Bagan.

It is also an opportunity for Odisha FC to show their quality after their first-ever playoffs finish in Hero ISL 2022-23. After a lacklustre league campaign East Bengal FC would be hoping to display their quality and mentality as the Hero I-League participant, Aizawl FC would like to spoil the party for the Hero ISL sides after their seventh place finish in Hero I-League.

The 2016-17 Hero I-League winners possess threats of their own and are a team full of character and passion, Caetano Pinho’s team would look to display their own brand of football and fight for the Semi-final spot.

Group B

Sr No.	Teams
1	Hyderabad FC
2	Odisha FC
3	East Bengal FC
4	Aizawl FC

 

Group B fixtures 

Date	Time	Match	Venue
April 9, 2023	5 pm IST	Hyderabad FC vs Aizawl FC	Payyanad Stadium, Manjeri, Kerala
April 9, 2023	8:30 pm IST	Odisha FC vs East Bengal FC	Payyanad Stadium, Manjeri, Kerala
April 13, 2023	5 pm IST	Aizawl FC vs Odisha FC	Payyanad Stadium, Manjeri, Kerala
April 13, 2023	8:30 pm IST	East Bengal FC vs Hyderabad FC	Payyanad Stadium, Manjeri, Kerala
April 17, 2023	5 pm IST	East Bengal FC vs Aizawl FC	Payyanad Stadium, Manjeri, Kerala
April 17, 2023	8:30 pm IST	Hyderabad FC vs Odisha FC	Payyanad Stadium, Manjeri, Kerala

 

Talking points

Hyderabad FC: Can Marquez finish with a trophy?

⚽️ Kicking off our #HeroSuperCup campaign this Sunday!

Up against @AizawlFC, and we will give it our all to start on the front foot 👊

Let's go, Hyderabad 💛🖤#WeAreHFC #మనహైదరాబాద్ #HyderabadFC pic.twitter.com/vj13D0ZNz0

— Hyderabad FC (@HydFCOfficial) April 6, 2023

After losing to the eventual winners ATK Mohun Bagan in the semi-finals, Hyderabad FC would bring their focus on Hero Super Cup as it is their final chance to win a trophy this season. Manolo Marquez has announced the strongest squad at his disposal and with an impressive league campaign of 13 wins and only four defeats, the Hero ISL 2021-22 winners will look for a strong push for the trophy and send their coach off on a winning note. The Spaniard announced that he will depart the club after three seasons at the end of the tournament.

Marquez's men did the double against East Bengal FC in the Hero ISL league matches and shared the spoils against Odisha FC in two fixtures, the two other contenders in group B. Bartholomew Ogbeche would be heading the attack for Hyderabad FC and his 10 goals and two assists in Hero ISL means the Nigerian striker is in form and would be looking to add to his tally. Hyderabad FC were the Hero ISL's best defence with only 16 goals conceded in 20 matches and they would rely on that solidity to grab another trophy for the Spaniard before he departs. 

Odisha FC: Eyes on their first-ever silverware

We continue building up towards our first Hero Super Cup campaign ⚔️🟣⚫️#OdishaFC #AmaTeamAmaGame #TheEasternDragons #HeroSuperCup pic.twitter.com/jvrsIdCZNW

— Odisha FC (@OdishaFC) April 6, 2023

After making it to the Hero ISL playoffs for the first time in their history, the Juggernauts would be hoping to go even one step ahead in the Hero Super Cup. They were left disappointed after a 2-0 defeat by ATK Mohun Bagan in the Eliminator but the Juggernauts aren't to be knocked down that easily. After being hailed "the comeback kings of the season", Odisha FC would be looking to show how they inflicted the double on East Bengal FC and handed one of their only four defeats to Manolo Marquez's men in the Hero ISL League campaign.

Boasting the league's top scorer in Diego Mauricio, the Juggernauts have the most in-form striker in the country in their ranks. The Brazilian striker has nine goals in his last 10 appearances and he would be looking to continue his fine form and repeat his heroics as he scored the brace against the Red and Gold Brigade in January. Gombau may have left but the team is under the able leadership of Clifford Miranda who has been appointed as the interim head coach. 

The Indian will have a chance to take the job on a permanent basis if he does well and helps Odisha FC win their first-ever trophy.

Can East Bengal FC bring back their glory days?

East Bengal FC have a rich history and Stephen Constantine's men will look to live up to it in the Super Cup and the the club's wait for silverware. 

The Red and Golds won't start the tournament as favourites after a rather disappointing Hero ISL campaign that saw them finish ninth in the table. But in Cleiton Silva and Naorem Mahesh Singh, East Bengal FC have the players that can hurt any team on the day and they would be keen to back those two up top with better defensive performances. If Constantine can galvanise his players, East bengal FC can spring a surprise or two.