AIFF Media Team
NEW DELHI: All eyes will be on Group B as Matchday 2 of the AIFF Super Cup 2025-26 promises a double-header of drama on Sunday, October 26, 2025. First up, Durand Cup champions NorthEast United FC face I-League title holders Inter Kashi at the GMC Stadium in Bambolim (16:30), followed by a 2025 Super Cup final rematch between FC Goa and Jamshedpur FC at the PJN Stadium in Fatorda (19:30).
The matches at Fatorda will be broadcast live on Star Sports Khel and streamed on JioHotstar, while the Bambolim clash will be streamed on the Indian Football YouTube Channel.
NorthEast United FC vs Inter Kashi: David vs Goliath in the opener
The opening fixture has the feel of a classic underdog encounter. NorthEast United FC arrive as the form side, buoyed by their recent Durand Cup title defence and brimming with belief. Coach Juan Pedro Benali, who has brought tactical clarity and steel to the Highlanders, knows how crucial an early win can be in a competition where only one team qualifies from each group.
“The first game is always very important in these kinds of tournaments. It’s the toughest group in the competition. Whichever team advances from here will have a great advantage going into the knockouts,” Benali remarked on the eve of the clash during the pre-match press conference.
For Inter Kashi, this is a step into the unknown. After a memorable I-League triumph, they will face an uphill task in their first game of the AIFF Super Cup. In a cruel twist, their foreign players and head coach Antonio López Habas are yet to receive their visas, forcing the club to rely solely on an all-Indian squad for their opener. Goalkeeping coach Abhijit Mondal will take charge from the sidelines.
Mondal, however, put up a brave front. “In football, anything can happen. We’ve retained a strong core, added exciting young players, and have Habas guiding us remotely. The boys are motivated. We’ll fight,” he said.
It will be the first-ever meeting between NorthEast and Inter Kashi. Benali, aware of the threat of an untested opponent, said, “Facing Inter Kashi won’t be easy. They will be very motivated, and we must be focused. Playing to our strengths will be key.”
Inter Kashi captain Sumeet Passi added a touch of steel to the narrative. “We respect NorthEast United. They are in form and full of confidence. But we’re here to prove ourselves and won’t make it easy for them. It’s going to be a proper test of character.”
FC Goa vs Jamshedpur FC: A final revisited
The second game of the night brings back memories of a high-octane final earlier this year. FC Goa had swept aside Jamshedpur FC 3-0 in the 2025 Super Cup final to lift their second title and secure qualification for the AFC Champions League Two preliminary stage. This time, Jamshedpur return with revenge on their minds.
Head coach Manolo Márquez is determined to ground his players after their impressive continental outings. “We have to take it one game at a time. Only one team can qualify from the group, so a bad result can end everything. We need to be switched on from the first whistle,” he said.
His team have already impressed in Asia with a spirited performance against giants Al Nassr, despite a narrow 1-2 defeat. “We showed character and personality against a big team, but tomorrow is a different game altogether,” he noted.
Jamshedpur’s storyline is just as compelling. After Márquez’s national team stint, Khalid Jamil filled the role before stepping aside for Steven Dias, the former India winger now at the helm. The Red Miners, well aware of what Goa are capable of, are determined to script a different ending this time.
“FC Goa are a strong side,” Dias admitted. “But we’ve learnt from last year’s final. Our preparation has been solid, both mentally and physically. We know NorthEast and Inter Kashi are dangerous too, so every point matters.”
The players share that hunger. Goa’s attackers, led by their fluid frontline, are expected to take the game to Jamshedpur, while the visitors’ organised defensive structure aims to frustrate them.
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