Read Bengali : এই ভারতীয় ফুটবলারের সঙ্গে চুক্তি বাড়িয়ে নিল পাঞ্জাব শিবির

With clubs actively strengthening their squads during the transfer window, Punjab FC have focused on retaining important members of their roster. After renewing contracts with several players in recent weeks, including Lungdim and other key squad members, the club has now tied down Arshdeep Singh to a new deal.

The 28-year-old goalkeeper was an important figure for Punjab FC during the previous ISL campaign. He featured in 12 league matches, conceding 12 goals while registering four clean sheets. His consistent performances between the posts attracted attention from several clubs after his previous contract expired in May this year.

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However, Punjab FC have successfully fended off interest from rival teams by handing the Chandigarh-born shot-stopper a two-year contract extension, ensuring his stay at the club for the foreseeable future.

Speaking after signing the new deal, Arshdeep expressed his delight at continuing with the club.

“There is no greater feeling than representing my home state. It is a special privilege for me. I believe we are building something special here, and I am excited to play my part in what lies ahead,” he said.

The goalkeeper also thanked the club management for the faith shown in him since his arrival.

“I am grateful for the trust the club has placed in me since I joined last season. Their confidence has motivated me to keep improving and contribute to the team’s success,” Arshdeep added.

Punjab FC are expected to make further moves in the transfer market as they prepare for the upcoming season, with the club aiming to build on the progress made in recent years and establish themselves as strong contenders in Indian football.

The hosts looked in early trouble when Dani Ramirez gave Punjab the lead in the 13th minute. But Jamie Maclaren responded brilliantly before the half-hour mark, levelling the scores at 1-1 going into the break.

Read Bengali: কামিন্সের শেষ মুহূর্তের গোলে কামব্যাক, পাঞ্জাবকে হারাল বাগান

After the restart, Punjab struck again in the 60th minute through a stunning volley from Nsungusi Effiong, putting the visitors 2-1 ahead.

Just when it seemed Mohun Bagan were staring at defeat, substitute Sahal Abdul Samad produced pure magic in the 74th minute. From nearly 30 yards out, he unleashed a rocket that looped over the defence and dipped into the net — a genuine goal-of-the-season contender that made it 2-2.

The drama wasn’t over. Deep into stoppage time (90+1′), Jason Cummings stepped up for a free-kick and delivered a superb set-piece that sailed past everyone and found the back of the net, sparking wild celebrations among the home fans.

It was a classic comeback win built on resilience and quality finishing when it mattered most. Mohun Bagan showed real fight and character in front of their passionate Kolkata crowd.

The Kolkata giants started brightly and took the lead in the 12th minute through Mohamad Bashim Rashid. A rehearsed short-corner routine saw Miguel Ferreira’s delivery only partially cleared, and the ball fell invitingly to Rashid at the edge of the area. The Maldivian midfielder controlled superbly before drilling a low shot that slipped under goalkeeper Muheet Shabir’s glove—his first goal for the club.

Punjab FC responded with urgency and were rewarded in the 34th minute. A mishap in the East Bengal box saw Ricky Shabong’s clearing header rebound off Bipin Singh’s arm, prompting the referee to award a penalty. Daniel Ramirez converted confidently, sending Prabhsukhan Singh Gill the wrong way to level the score.

But East Bengal regained control at a crucial moment, striking just before the interval. Deep into first-half stoppage time, Miguel Ferreira delivered another pinpoint corner, and defender Kevin Sibille rose highest to nod home a powerful header. The goal sparked jubilant celebrations, which also saw head coach Oscar Bruzon receive a second yellow card for overexuberance.

After the break, East Bengal tightened their grip on the contest. Bipin Singh and Hiroshi Ibusuki both came close to extending the lead, but it was captain Saul Crespo who delivered the decisive blow in the 71st minute. Once again, Ferreira was the architect—slaloming past multiple defenders before laying the ball off for Crespo, who placed a tidy left-footed finish into the bottom corner.

Punjab FC struggled to break down East Bengal’s disciplined defensive structure in the closing stages. Their best late opportunity came when Ramirez threaded a pass to Bede Amarachi Osuji, but the Nigerian forward’s effort was comfortably saved by Gill.

East Bengal nearly added further gloss to the scoreline when Ferreira danced past defenders again, only to fire narrowly wide. Nevertheless, the Red and Gold brigade held firm until the final whistle, celebrating a well-earned spot in yet another major final.

With momentum and confidence on their side, Oscar Bruzon’s men now turn their focus to lifting the coveted AIFF Super Cup trophy.

FC Goa vs Mumbai City FC (20:00 IST)

The second semi-final brings together two teams with contrasting momentum but identical ambitions. Mumbai City FC arrive after a long training block without competitive fixtures, while FC Goa come into the game battle-hardened from their AFC Champions League Two campaign. Beyond a spot in the final, both teams are fighting for a route back to continental football.

East Bengal, Punjab FC Set for Blockbuster Super Cup Semi Final

Mumbai City FC: “Heart, Character, Commitment”

Head coach Petr Kratky expressed confidence in his squad’s preparation:

“I’m very happy with the work we’ve done over the last few weeks. Goa are a very good team and in full rhythm because of the ACL Two, but we’ve prepared as best as possible.”

This is Mumbai City’s third consecutive Super Cup semi-final, and midfielder Brandon Fernandes is targeting his first-ever final with the club.

“It’s a massive semi-final for us. We want to reach the final and return to AFC competition — that’s our motivation.”

Will Joy Gupta Play Super Cup 2025 Semifinal?

Kratky emphasized Mumbai City’s attacking identity:

“We want to play aggressive, attacking football — the style Mumbai is known for. We are building an environment where every player is ready and important. What matters is heart, character, and commitment.”

Facing his former team, Fernandes added:

“The past is the past. Tomorrow is about the present. Goa is my former club, but my focus is on helping Mumbai win.”

FC Goa: Battle-Hardened but Weary

FC Goa head coach Manolo Márquez acknowledged that his squad is navigating a unique situation:

East Bengal coach Oscar Bruzon Weighs Defensive Options Ahead of Semifinal

“We are training more and playing more because of the AFC Champions League Two, but the long gaps between matches make it mentally demanding. Still, strong matches are better preparation than training alone.”

Defender Ronney Wilson Kharbudon, who made his debut against Al Nassr earlier this season, echoed his coach’s sentiments:

“Playing such matches helps every player improve. Training has been good since we returned from Iraq. We’re focused and want to reach the final.”

A Fixture Known for Goals

Whenever FC Goa and Mumbai City FC meet, entertainment is guaranteed — 16 goals in their last five meetings. Mumbai City enjoyed a 10-game unbeaten run against Goa before the Gaurs ended it with a 3–1 win in Mumbai last February.

Márquez expects another high-quality encounter:

“Every competition is different. Mumbai City are one of the biggest teams in the ISL, with strong foreigners and national team players. Both teams like attacking, possession football. It should be a good match, but in football, you never know.”

The action begins at 16:00 IST with a clash between 2024 champions East Bengal FC and first-time semi-finalists Punjab FC. Later, at 20:00 IST, defending champions FC Goa face Mumbai City FC. Both matches will be broadcast on Star Sports Khel and streamed on JioHotstar.

Will Joy Gupta Play Super Cup 2025 Semifinal?

Semi-final 1: East Bengal FC vs Punjab FC (16:00 IST)

Both teams arrive with momentum after navigating two of the competition’s toughest groups.
East Bengal sealed their spot with a gritty 0–0 draw against rivals Mohun Bagan SG, while Punjab FC advanced after a dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Bengaluru FC, having produced an identical defensive record with no goals conceded in the group stage.

Bruzon: “We trust our identity and game model.”

East Bengal head coach Óscar Bruzón highlighted the long-term preparation behind his team’s campaign:

“Our preparation has been ongoing for months. We started training in July, played pre-season tournaments, and integrated new players. This helped us build automatisms and collective understanding. We feel mature in what we do, and tomorrow we must bring that onto the pitch.”

Full-back Jay Gupta also emphasised the team’s motivation:

“This tournament offers a spot in Asia, something our fans truly deserve. We’re fully prepared and excited to get on the pitch.”

East Bengal coach Oscar Bruzon Weighs Defensive Options Ahead of Semifinal

Respect for Punjab’s defence

Punjab FC’s defensive solidity has been one of the stories of the tournament. When asked about possible weaknesses, Bruzón maintained a respectful but cautious tone:

“We have huge respect for Punjab. They haven’t conceded once. They’re aggressive, compact, and strong in transitions. We expect changes from them — new players, substitutions, maybe even a different system.”

On handling pressure and expectations from East Bengal’s massive fan base, Bruzón added:

“At East Bengal, if you don’t understand what it means to be part of this club, the job becomes difficult. We play with hunger and commitment. Thinking about the final or Asia now would distract us.”

Punjab FC: Calm, confident, and ready

Punjab FC head coach Panagiotis Dilmperis expressed confidence in his squad’s preparation:

“After qualifying, the players got a deserved break. Then we had three and a half weeks of full training and friendlies to fine-tune the team.”

Midfielder Leon Augustine echoed the positive mood:

“We’ve worked hard and had a good run in the group stage. The long training period helped. There’s no pressure on us — East Bengal are a good team, but we’re ready.”

Dilmperis on East Bengal and knockout football

Despite East Bengal defeating Punjab twice last ISL season — including a 4–2 comeback victory in Kolkata — Dilmperis remained measured:

“East Bengal are strong in every department. We respect them.”

On Punjab’s defensive focus, he added:

“A clean sheet is crucial in knockout football — it helps in extra time or penalties. We’d love to have possession, but we’re ready for any scenario.”

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.

সুপার কাপের সেমিফাইনাল নিশ্চিতের পর সেলিব্রেশনে এই দলের সমর্থকরা

Held at Social Saket, the event attracted over 100 passionate fans, along with journalists and social media influencers, who came together to watch the live screening of the crucial group stage clash against Bengaluru FC.

The atmosphere was electric, featuring live hip hop performances, football freestyle acts, interactive games, and a football quiz, creating a carnival-like vibe. The celebration reached its peak when Punjab FC edged past Bengaluru FC in a dramatic penalty shootout. Fans erupted in jubilation, turning the event into a night of pure joy, unity, and pride.

Following the match, coach Panagiotis Dilmperis highlighted the club’s growth:
“I’m super excited. Day by day, week by week, month by month, year by year, the club is developing and achieving higher goals. And we are doing it while nurturing young Indian players. I believe we are a team that deserves to show the way Indian football should progress.”

The successful fan meet marked a milestone for Punjab FC, strengthening its bond with supporters beyond the pitch. The evening not only showcased the growing passion for football in the region but also reflected the strong sense of community building around the club’s inspiring journey.

With a semifinal spot secured and an unforgettable night shared with fans, Punjab FC’s debut fan meet was nothing short of a super success, both on and off the field.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Punjab FC registered a commanding 3–0 victory over Mohammedan SC in their Group C encounter of the AIFF Indian Super Cup 2025 at the GMC Athletic Stadium. This was Punjab’s second consecutive win, taking them to six points from two matches and moving them a step closer to the semifinals. The goals came from Ninthoinganba Meetei, Samir Zeljkovic, and Manglenthang Kipgen.

Head coach Panagiotis Dilmperis made just one change to Punjab’s starting lineup, bringing in Spanish midfielder Dani Ramirez in place of Princeton Rebello, who had scored in the previous game. Mohammedan SC’s coach Mehrajuddin Wadoo fielded an unchanged eleven from their last outing, where they lost to Bengaluru FC.

The first major chance fell to Mohammedan’s Bijoy Varghese, whose header from a corner went narrowly wide. Soon after, goalkeeper Subhajit Bhattacharjee produced a fine save to deny Ninthoi.

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Punjab’s attacking quartet of Dani Ramirez, Kipgen, Ninthoi, and Muhammad Suhail constantly troubled the Mohammedan defence. Their fluid combination play led to the opener in the 27th minute — Kipgen’s precise through ball found Ninthoi making a clever run, and the winger calmly slotted past the advancing goalkeeper.

The pressure continued, and Punjab doubled their lead just before halftime. Right-back Khaiminthang Lhungdim delivered a deep cross that Ninthoi headed back across goal, where new signing Samir Zeljkovic was waiting unmarked. His left-footed shot may not have been perfectly struck, but it had enough power to find the bottom corner.

Punjab controlled the tempo after the break, dominating possession and creating chances. Mohammedan, meanwhile, struggled to threaten, with Yash Chickro’s long-range effort being their closest attempt.

In the 72nd minute, substitute Leon Augustine set up Kipgen inside the box, and the forward calmly finished to make it 3–0. Punjab continued to press for more, with new signing Nsungusi Effiong creating opportunities but failing to convert. Mohammedan managed their first shot on target only in stoppage time, which goalkeeper Muheet Shabir dealt with comfortably.

With this convincing win, Punjab FC recorded their second straight victory. They will face Bengaluru FC in their final group game on November 5 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda — a match likely to decide the Group C winners.