Initially, Bino George supervised the training sessions, but soon after arriving in the city, the Spanish coach took full charge. After weeks of preparation in Kolkata, the Red and Gold brigade finally arrived in Goa. However, in the midst of all this, one of the team’s most reliable defenders, Joy Gupta, suffered an injury. This undoubtedly sparked concern within the camp. As a result, over the past few days, the Indian defender has mainly been working on his fitness from the sidelines. If he is unavailable for the upcoming semifinal, it could significantly impact the team’s performance.

There is no need to state that again. Still, the management’s top priority was to get him fully fit before the match. According to the latest update, during the final training session on the eve of the semifinal, the national team defender was seen practicing with the main squad in high spirits. This clearly indicates that he is much fitter than before. However, whether Oscar will include him in the starting XI remains the big question, and everyone’s attention will be on that decision.

On the other hand, Dilmpers’ Punjab FC is determined to beat East Bengal and secure their place in the final. After completing preparations in their home city, the opposition camp arrived in Goa a few days ago. The Greek coach has prepared the team keeping East Bengal’s strengths and weaknesses in mind.

Although that match ended in a draw after full time, East Bengal advanced to the semifinals thanks to goal difference. Naturally, supporters were quite pleased. After a long break, the semifinals are finally scheduled to be held tomorrow, where Oscar Bruzón’s side will face Panagiotis Dilmpeleris’ Punjab FC. Punjab had already stunned a strong team like Bengaluru FC earlier to secure their semifinal berth, so everyone knows this will be no easy contest.

That is why players like Miguel Figuera and Anwar Ali had begun intense training weeks in advance. But just a few days before the semifinal, worrying news emerged—reliable defender Joy Gupta picked up an injury during practice. He was seen mostly on the sidelines afterward. Oscar is fully aware of how much Joy’s absence in such a crucial match could benefit the opposition, so he had already begun preparing alternative plans.

According to various reports, if Joy Gupta is unable to play this match, Oscar Bruzón may turn to another Indian defender, Lalchungnunga, as his replacement. Additionally, Bengali footballer Prabhat Lakra is also being considered as an option. However, in Wednesday’s training session ahead of the semifinal, Joy Gupta looked quite lively. If everything goes well, East Bengal’s head coach might go ahead with his original plan and include him in the starting lineup.

Mohun Bagan Eyes Smooth Sail After Early-Season Turbulence

Indian Super League (ISL) champion Mohun Bagan Super Giant began the new season under pressure after a rocky few months. The Mariners were knocked out by East Bengal in the Durand Cup and later withdrew from the AFC Champions League 2 — decisions that led to widespread protests from their fan base. However, the storm seems to have settled. Under Spanish coach Jose Molina, Bagan rediscovered form, lifting the IFA Shield in October and opening its Super Cup campaign with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Chennaiyin FC.

Now, the Mariners face Dempo SC in their next Group A fixture at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa on Tuesday. A win will all but secure their place in the semifinals — provided East Bengal or Chennaiyin drop points in the earlier match at Bambolim.

Bagan’s squad depth remains one of its biggest strengths. Australian forwards Jason Cummings and Jamie Maclaren, both World Cup participants, have already made their mark, with Cummings netting both goals against Chennaiyin. Molina, however, faces a tactical dilemma — whether to continue with both strikers or deploy Brazilian playmaker Robson Robinho in a creative midfield role behind a lone forward. With Indian wingers Manvir Singh and Liston Colaco offering pace and width, the Mariners will look to maintain their attacking rhythm against a disciplined Dempo side.

Dempo Aims to Keep Rising After I-League Return

Dempo SC, a three-time national champion, stunned defending Super Cup champion East Bengal with a 2-2 draw in its tournament opener. Once a powerhouse in Indian football, Dempo had faded from the top flight after withdrawing from the I-League in 2016. Their recent promotion back to the league has revived hopes among Goan fans of a return to glory.

Under club legend and head coach Samir Naik, the Golden Eagles are determined to show they can still compete with India’s elite. The last meeting between senior sides of Bagan and Dempo in Goa ended 1-1 — a result that eventually brought an end to Arthur Papas’s tenure as Dempo coach. This time, Naik’s men will aim for a more memorable outcome, one that could keep their semifinal dreams alive and further shake up Group A.

East Bengal Seeks Redemption and Consistency

For East Bengal, the Super Cup campaign has been a story of promise marred by inconsistency. Under Oscar Bruzon, the Red-and-Gold Brigade reached the semifinals of the Durand Cup and the final of the IFA Shield, but both campaigns ended in heartbreak — a loss to lower-division side Diamond Harbour in the Durand semis and a penalty defeat to Bagan in the Shield final.

Conceding late goals has been a recurring problem. Dempo’s 89th-minute equalizer in the Super Cup opener once again exposed the team’s defensive frailty and mental lapses. To make matters worse, internal unrest has surfaced, with goalkeeping coach Sandip Nandy resigning after the IFA Shield defeat, reportedly due to dressing-room tensions.

Bruzon, however, remains optimistic. His first away victory as East Bengal coach in the ISL came against Chennaiyin — the same opponent his team will face next. A win will keep East Bengal’s semifinal hopes alive and set up a high-voltage derby where both sides could be battling for survival.

Chennaiyin Looks to Rekindle Spirit Under Clifford Miranda

Chennaiyin FC, fielding an all-Indian squad this season, has struggled for cohesion but remains eager to prove its mettle under coach Clifford Miranda. The former Odisha FC boss guided his side to its first-ever Super Cup title two years ago and will hope to recreate that success on Goan soil.

As Group A tightens, every point matters. For Bagan, a win against Dempo could mean smooth passage to the semifinals; for East Bengal, it’s about survival and revival before the grand Kolkata Derby. The next few days promise high drama, tactical battles, and the kind of passion that defines Indian football’s fiercest rivalry.