The Kalinga Super Cup 2024 final between East Bengal FC vs Odisha FC promises to be an exciting finale to 20 days of nonstop action. On January 28, 2024, at 19:30 IST, the Red and Gold Brigade and the Kalinga Warriors will square off at the renowned Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar. These two teams are the last ones fighting for the coveted title after 27 thrilling games.
Both teams have played outstandingly well, winning four straight games to maintain a perfect record as they advance to the championship match. In a thrilling group stage match, East Bengal showed off their strength by defeating Mohun Bagan SG 3-1. In the semi-final, they easily defeated Jamshedpur 2-0. On the other side, Odisha won 1-0 against Mumbai City FC in a hotly contested semifinal match after navigating through Group D unharmed.
It would be an enormous accomplishment for the hosts, Odisha FC, to win the Kalinga Super Cup on their home field. Though they won the Super Cup for the first time the season before, nothing compares to winning the championship in front of their adoring fans at Kalinga Stadium.
The defender and captain of Odisha FC, Carlos Delgado, stated that the team is prepared for the difficult match. Delgado recognized the difficulty of defending the title against East Bengal and stressed the value of their devoted fan base. The leadership of the seasoned defender will be essential in leading Odisha to yet another historic triumph.
Sergio Lobera, the head coach of Odisha, has a plethora of experience as well, having won the Super Cup with FC Goa in 2019. After taking over Odisha FC at the start of the season, Lobera is keen to win his team’s championship and add yet another honor to his already impressive resume.
Lobera demonstrated his team’s ability by pointing to their remarkable 15-game winning streak in a variety of competitions. The coach emphasized the players’ ability to perform under pressure by highlighting Odisha’s victories over strong opponents in the AFC Cup and the Kalinga Super Cup.
On the other hand, East Bengal FC is desperate to win a national championship after a 12-year trophy drought going into the final. The last time the Red and Gold Brigade had won a national trophy was in the 2012 Federation Cup, where they beat Dempo in an exciting match. Even though Carles Cuadrat’s team lost the Durand Cup final to Mohun Bagan SG, they are still keen to take advantage of the chance and leave their mark in history.
Cuadrat underlined the team’s unwavering pursuit of success and acknowledged the final’s significance for East Bengal. Fueled by their prolific goal-scoring form in the Kalinga Super Cup, East Bengal enters the final with newfound confidence, riding a nine-game unbeaten streak.
Brazilian striker Cleiton Silva has been instrumental in East Bengal’s campaign, emerging as the tournament’s top scorer with four goals to his name. Cuadrat highlighted the team’s offensive prowess and expressed optimism about their chances against Odisha in the title decider.
The return of Naorem Mahesh Singh and Lalchungnunga from national team duty provides a significant boost to East Bengal’s squad. Additionally, former Odisha midfielder Saúl Crespo, who joined East Bengal in the summer, offers valuable insights into their opponent’s strategies and tactics.
In an attempt to win two Super Cup trophies with separate teams, Crespo expressed faith in East Bengal’s victory over Odisha in the championship game. Crespo is ready to have a big effect on the big stage, having already recorded a goal and an assist in the competition.
Football fans are excited for a show full of skill, passion, and drama as the stage is set for a historic match between two powerful opponents. With East Bengal FC and Odisha FC willing to stop at nothing to win the Kalinga Super Cup in 2024, it should be an exciting match.
In conclusion, the Kalinga Super Cup 2024 championship game features an exciting matchup between two of the biggest teams in football fighting for supremacy at the national level. The stage is set for an exciting match that will surely enthrall fans worldwide, with both teams displaying remarkable form and tenacity. Football enthusiasts are getting ready for an incredible show that will go down in Indian football history as the countdown to the much awaited match at Kalinga Stadium begins.
