When the draw for the group stages of the Hero Super Cup 2023 was made last month, Group A was given the term ‘group of death’ consisting of two Southern rivals in Bengaluru FC and Kerala Blasters from ISL and I-League winners RoundGlass Punjab and runners-up Sreenidi Deccan who made it from qualifying round. Fast forward to the final group games of the tournament and it has certainly lived up to the billing. As many as three teams are vying for the top spot in Group A which will earn them a spot in the semifinals. Sreenidi Deccan have a golden chance to qualify along with Bengaluru FC sharing the same points and goal difference whereas Kerala Blasters is also not out of the race. Only RoundGlass Punjab have been eliminated after losing their opening two games in Group A.
Results
Bengaluru FC 1-1 Sreenidi Deccan
Sreenidi Deccan played a historic draw with ISL finalists Bengaluru FC in the opening match of the tournament. The Blues started in a strong fashion and deservedly went ahead through Javi Hernandez who blasted in his close-range effort after opposition keeper Niraj Lamba twice parried two initial efforts from the ISL side. Sreenidi did not back down by equalizing through Faysal Shayesteh in the 21st minute of the match. The Deccan Warriors defended robustly and also asked questions on the counter with Bengaluru FC missing some big chances to score as the game finished 1-1.
Kerala Blasters 3-1 RoundGlass Punjab
Kerala Blasters came into the game on the back of punishments imposed by AIFF including a ban on their coach Ivan Vukomanovic for their walkout decision against rivals Bengaluru FC in the ISL playoff match. The Tuskers responded to that with a 3-1 victory over I-League winners RoundGlass Punjab to take an early grip on the top place of the group. Striker Dimitrios Diamantakos put the Blasters ahead before half-time while Nishu Kumar doubled the lead early in the second half. Even though the opposition pulled one back to make the last 20 minutes of the game interesting, Rahul KP put the last dagger on the chest in stoppage time to seal the win.
Sreenidi Deccan 2-0 Kerala Blasters
However, Kerala’s spirits were broken when they faced high-flying Sreenidi Deccan in the second group stage game. The runners-up in the I-League showed they are determined enough to beat any
ISL side on the day and they did with Rilwan Hassan and Davide Castaneda scoring two stunning goals in the first half for the 2-0 victory. The Tuskers improved after the break with Apostolos Giannou coming close to scoring by hitting the upright while Niraj Lamba denied other efforts to make sure his team register a memorable win and set a foot in the semifinals.
RoundGlass Punjab 0-2 Bengaluru FC
Bengaluru FC also kept their chances alive by winning their first match in the Super Cup this season, defeating RoundGlass Punjab in the second group match. Simon Grayson’s side had to work hard to get past Kiran Limbu who was excellent in between the sticks throughout the game. Substitute Udanta Singh broke the deadlock in the 66th minute to much relief to the BFC camp before playmaker Javi Hernandez converted a last-minute penalty to seal the deal. The Blues kept them in contention for the top spot while the I-League winners ended in the bottom place in the group.
Table
Teams | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
Bengaluru FC | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
Sreenidi Deccan | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
Kerala Blasters | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
Punjab FC | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | -4 | 0 |
Final group fixtures
Sunday, 16 April 2023
RoundGlass Punjab vs Sreenidi Deccan – Payyanad Stadium, Manjeri (8:30 PM)
Bengaluru FC vs Kerala Blasters – EMS Stadium, Kozhikode (8:30 PM)
According to the decision taken by AIFF, the final group fixtures of Hero Super Cup 2023 have been adjusted for the matches to kick off simultaneously at 8:30 PM (IST). Finished in the top two of the I-League this season, RoundGlass Punjab will battle Sreenidi Deccan in the last group game at the Payyanad Stadium whereas Bengaluru FC will take on rivals Kerala Blasters in the reversal of the controversial Southern derby at the EMS Stadium.
Who will win Group A?
Bengaluru FC
All three sides involved in the race to top Group A has to win their final group game to outdo the others for a place in the semifinals. Bengaluru FC will have to beat Kerala Blasters and hope Sreenidi Deccan lose to RoundGlass Punjab to finish at the top of the group. If both win, it will come down to goal difference to decide the winners of the group as the pair has drawn the game they played each other. If Bengaluru FC draws the Southern derby, a defeat for Sreenidi Deccan or a draw with an inferior goal difference will secure them a place in the last four.
Sreenidi Deccan
Sreenidi Deccan have to win their final group match against RoundGlass Punjab to seal the top place in the group provided that Bengaluru FC do not win by a bigger margin than them. If they play out a draw with I-League winners and the Blues get the same outcome in their match, goal difference will come into factor. If the points and goal difference remain the same at the end, the team scoring the most goals will win the group.
Kerala Blasters
Kerala Blasters will only be able to win Group A and book a ticket to the semifinals with a victory over Bengaluru FC and hope Sreenidi Deccan do not win their final group game. The Tuskers only have three points from the first two games and their faith entirely depends on results elsewhere.
