Super Cup: Bengaluru FC knock out Kerala Blasters; qualify for semifinal as Sreenidi Deccan lose to RoundGlass

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Bengaluru FC became the first team to qualify for the Super Cup 2023 semis while knocking out arch-rivals Kerala Blasters at the EMS Corporation Stadium in Kozhikode. Bengaluru FC played out a 1-1 draw with Blasters to finish ahead of them in the points table at 5 points.

Sreenidi Deccan's 0-1 loss to RoundGlass Punjab in the game played simultaneously in Manjeri helped Bengaluru finish top of the group. Roy Krishna scored as early as the 22nd minute to put Bengaluru FC in front before Dimitrios Diamantakos equalised late in the game for the draw.

Kerala Blasters (4 points) finished third in the group behind Sreenidi (4 points) as the latter pipped them on head-to-head results. However, only the top team progresses to the semis meant finishing second meant as little as finishing last in the group, which was held by RoundGlass (3 points).

I-League champions RoundGlass Punjab finally tasted their first win in the competition as Hmingthanmawia scored for the winners. RGPFC finished the tournament with three points from three matches while SDFC secured four points from their three games.

RGPFC head coach Staikos Vergetis made two changes to the starting line up, bringing in Mohammed Salah and Brandon Vanlalremdika instead of Huidrom Naocha Singh and Ajay Chhetri.

I-League runners-up SDFC coach Carlos Manuel Pinto named his strongest lineup who were in the race to qualify for the semi-finals from the group.

RGPFC started brightly in the beginning of the first half. They pressed the ball and were looking good going forward. They got their first chance of the game in the third minute from a Juan Mera corner.

Valpuia rose the highest to meet the ball but his header went wide. RGPFC held possession of the ball for most of the half and threatened going forward causing problems for the SDFC defence.

The constant pressure of RGPFC showed results in the 41st minute. Juan Mera's curling free kick was met with intent by Valpuia whose header found the net past SDFC keeper Aryan Lamba. RGPFC maintained the lead before leaving for the lemon break.

SDFC started the second half with more intent to find the equaliser. They maintained possession of the ball and looked dangerous moving forward creating chances but RGPFC defence stood firm until the mid-half water break.

Goalkeeper Kiran Kumar Limbu made crucial saves to also keep the score line intact. RGPFC saw off the rest of the game by keeping the ball. Kiran Kumar Limbu was brilliant when called upon. In the end Valpuia's header was enough to seal the win for RGPFC. Kiran was adjudged the Hero of the Match.

With inputs from PTI