Welcome to the Indian Super Cup Quarter-Finals and do we have a good week ahead of us. There are currently only three ISL teams left in the competition and two of those face each other in this round. However, I am focusing on the all I-League clash between Mohun Bagan and Shillong Lajong. I am going to change my usual preview structure as even I am bored of repeating the same stats over and over again. However, the quality will not be lost and instead of gloating more, I’ll just go straight into it.
Previous Round…
I must admit, reading through my previews can be a little boring with the stats, especially when a couple games have passed and the stats haven’t changed that much. That’s why I am going to throw this section in instead, even in the ISL previews next season, just to freshen them up a little.
Anyway, Mohun Bagan are the home side, so I’ll begin with them. With them not having to qualify for the tournament, Mohun have only played one game in the Super Cup. This game was against Churchill Brothers and they managed to go through in a 2-1 win. Mohun went 1-0 down on thirty minutes when Willis Plaza scored, however, Mohun fought back, even after they missed a penalty just before half-time. Speaking of just before half-time, Dipanda managed to score in added time and equalise for Mohun. Mohun dominated the second half and got the winning goal through Dipanda on seventy minutes.
Shillong also didn’t have to qualify for the Super Cup and they had a much more entertaining game against ISL side Pune. Pune were clear favourites coming into the game but Shillong were brilliant. Pune had a great start to the game, scoring on seventeen and twenty-two minutes, through Lucca and Marcelinho respectively, and taking a 2-0 lead. However, Koffi got one back for the I-League side on twenty-nine minutes. Shillong produced the greatest comeback in the second half, with Pradhan equalising on sixty-one minutes and then Lalmuanpuia converting a penalty on ninety-two minutes, winning the game.
Key Player…
As you can probably tell, I have decided not to include my take on the game, and to be brutally honest, I know nothing about these teams. I haven’t had the chance to sit down and watch the games in the Super Cup so I feel it would be unfair on you to read a pathetic excuse for a match take, to be fair you have to read Jake’s stuff so you must be used to stuff being pathetic.
Anyway, before I get the sack, I will now give you my Key Player for this game. I must say this is clearly based on goals and stats, rather than skill and performances in actual games. For Mohun, they have main man Dipanda who has already scored twice this competition. I’m also going to pull my Key Player card out early and say he will be the Key Player.
For Shillong, they have their main target man in Koffi, who has managed to find the net already this tournament. They also have Lalmuanpuia who can also find the back of the net.
Finally…
With all this being said, I will simply leave you with this. I promise to watch these games so I can actually comment on the style and players of the I-League sides. In terms of a score prediction, I reckon it’ll be 2-2 after ninety minutes and then Mohun will sneak the game in extra time 3-2.
