Jersey

In an enthralling contest between two quality sides, Sanjiban Ghosh, the Jamshedpur shot stopper proved to be the difference as I-league champions were knocked out of the super cup. Minerva had multiple chances to win the tie in regular time as well as extra time but their inefficiency in front of the goal and Ghosh’s heroics ended their campaign.

“Champion”-less Super Cup raises questions

Even before a ball was kicked in the tournament, many teams (especially ISL teams) expressed their resentment over the tournament. Super Cup winners do not get an AFC cup spot nor do they get the tag of champions of India. Earlier, Gregory played a very young side against Aizwal and his side was knocked out on penalties. Minerva Punjab was also condemned to the same fate at the hands of Jamshedpur. The most alarming fact however is the fans being unfazed by their team’s loss. There has been huge question mark over the format and future of the cup. The two champion sides of India not taking the cup seriously will put the organizers in slippery slope.

Ghosh claims stardom in Subrata’s Absence

Subrata was the golden glove winner in the recently concluded ISL tournament and the Men of Steel were expected to miss their captain. The 26 year old Ghosh stole the limelight and was exceptional throughout the 120 minutes. Ghosh denied Chencho twice in the extra time to go with his numerous saves in the regular time. With Subrata in the wrong side of 30, Ghosh might be a long term option for Jamshedpur between the posts.

Shoddy finishing cost the I-league Champions

Minerva had excellent chances to win the tie in 90 minutes. But the side from Punjab squandered multiple chances in front of the goal. Deepak blasted the ball over the bar after having the goal at his mercy following a brilliant save by Ghosh. Opoku missed a sitter in the 56^th minute as his header from the rebound went wide from point blank range. The Warriors had two more chances in the extra time but their star player Chencho could not get the better of Ghosh. The champions put in a good performance on the field but will rue their missed chances.

 

Vociferous Coppell Questions Extra time

The Jamshedpur gaffer has been straight forward with his opinions about the inaugural super cup. He called the tournament a “nonsense” before it even kicked off. In the aftermath of their win against I-league champions, Coppell questioned the necessity of extra time. In the scorching humidity of sub continent and at the final stretch of the season players bound to pick up injuries at such situations. Coppell clearly is not a fan of a “pointless” super cup.