Hero Super Cup Final 2023: The stage is set for the highly anticipated Hero Super Cup 2023 final, with Bengaluru FC and Odisha FC going head-to-head in a thrilling battle for the prestigious title. This epic encounter is scheduled to take place at the EMS Corporation Stadium in Kozhikode on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at 19:00 IST.
Bengaluru FC, who won the first edition of the Hero Super Cup in 2018, will be looking to lift the trophy for the second time. This season, they finished as runners-up in the Indian Super League after losing to ATK Mohun Bagan in the final on penalties. However, they have a chance to redeem themselves by winning the Hero Super Cup.
Hero Super Cup Final 2023: Bengaluru FC and Odisha FC Battle for Glory- Who Will Reign Supreme?
On the other hand, Odisha FC will be playing their maiden final and will be eager to claim their first-ever silverware. They finished sixth in the Indian Super League this season and were knocked out in the playoffs by ATK Mohun Bagan.
Both teams have had a tough road to the final, with some nail-biting matches along the way. Bengaluru FC emerged as the toppers of Group A, finishing above Sreenidi Deccan FC, Kerala Blasters FC, and RoundGlass Punjab FC with five points. They then defeated Jamshedpur FC in the semi-finals, with goals from Jayesh Rane and captain Sunil Chhetri.
Odisha FC, on the other hand, won all three of their Group B games, beating East Bengal FC, Aizawl FC, and Hyderabad FC. In the semi-finals, they came from behind to defeat NorthEast United FC 3-1, with Nandha Kumar scoring twice and Diego Maurício adding a late third.
Let’s take a closer look at the journey of both teams to the grand finale and what to expect from this electrifying match: Hero Super Cup Final 2023
Bengaluru FC’s Road to the Final
- Held to a 1-1 draw by Sreenidi Deccan, followed by a 2-0 win over RoundGlass Punjab.
- Defeated Jamshedpur FC 2-0 in the semi-final, thanks to goals from Jayesh Rane and captain Sunil Chhetri.
Odisha FC’s Road to the Final
- Drew 1-1 with East Bengal FC and won 3-0 against Aizawl FC in the group stage.
- Staged a stunning comeback against NorthEast United FC in the semi-final, winning 3-1 with Nandhakumar Sekar scoring twice.
Hero Super Cup Final 2023: Bengaluru FC and Odisha FC Battle for Glory- Who Will Reign Supreme?
Past Encounters
- Bengaluru FC won the first edition of the Hero Super Cup in 2018, while this is Odisha FC’s maiden attempt for silverware.
- Both teams faced each other in the Durand Cup quarter-final stage in September last year, with Bengaluru FC emerging victorious.
Hero Super Cup Final 2023: Bengaluru FC and Odisha FC Battle for Glory- Who Will Reign Supreme?
What’s at Stake
- Bengaluru FC aims to win their second Hero Super Cup title and secure a spot in the AFC Cup Group Stage playoffs against Gokulam Kerala.
- Odisha FC is hungry for their first-ever silverware and a chance to etch their name in Indian football history.
Key Players to Watch
- Bengaluru FC: Sunil Chhetri (captain), Jayesh Rane, and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (goalkeeper).
- Odisha FC: Nandhakumar Sekar, Diego Mauricio, and Víctor Rodríguez.
Coaches’ Thoughts
- Bengaluru FC coach Simon Grayson emphasizes the importance of winning the Hero Super Cup and their ambition to represent India in the AFC tournaments.
- Odisha FC head coach Clifford Miranda focuses on treating the final as “another game” and praises his team’s mental spirit and togetherness.
Hero Super Cup Final 2023: Bengaluru FC and Odisha FC Battle for Glory- Who Will Reign Supreme?
Hero Super Cup Final 2023: The Hero Super Cup 2023 final promises to be a closely contested encounter between two strong teams. Bengaluru FC will be hoping to end their season on a high by adding another trophy to their cabinet, while Odisha FC will be eager to claim their first silverware. The battle of attrition is sure to be an exciting one, and football fans across the country will be eagerly awaiting the outcome.
