The winners of Group D will be the fourth semifinalists of the Hero Super Cup 2023 as three teams battle it out for the top spot in the final games of the group stages. Bengaluru FC, Jamshedpur FC and Odisha FC have booked their places with one of Chennaiyin FC, NorthEast United and Mumbai City FC joining them later. The teams involved are separated just by a point making the qualification to the knockouts from Group D an interesting watch. The Marina Machans tops the group at the moment with four points followed by the Highlanders and the Islanders, both on three points from two games. I-League side Churchill Brothers are eliminated from the competition registering just a solitary point and beaten on head-to-head record.
Results
Churchill Brothers 1-2 Mumbai City
Churchill Brothers proved to be a defensive steel for the ISL sides in this group with Mumbai City not able to get the winner in the first group stage game until the final minute. Lallianzuala Chhangte converted from the spot to secure the last-gasp victory for his side. Ansumana Kromah gave the Goan side a shock lead in the opening nine minutes of the game before centre-back Mehtab Singh scored before the half-an-hour mark to level up for the Islanders in the match.
Chennaiyin FC 4-2 NorthEast United
Chennaiyin FC ended their ISL season with a thrilling final match against NorthEast United and opened the Super Cup in a similar fashion in the same fixture. That time it was 4-3 but the Highlanders scored one less in this meeting. Rahim Ali put the Southern side ahead before Edwin Vanspaul doubled the lead in the 33rd minute. Rochharzela pulled one back for the Highlanders late in the first half only for Julius Duker and Rahim Ali to score again after the break to take the game away from them. Laldanmawia Ralte's stoppage-time strike was no more than a consolation.
Churchill Brothers 0-0 Chennaiyin FC
The Marina Machans were then held by the former I-League winners in their second group game, Thomas Bradaric’s side unable to give the final touch to the chances they created. Julius Duker, Anirudh Thapa etc. went close to opening the scoring but an elegant Nora Fernandes in between the sticks for Churchill Brothers was impenetrable. Ansumana Kromah and his teammates also threatened on counters with Chennaiyin FC’s Samik Mitra needed to be alert on numerous occasions to prevent any upset on the day.
NorthEast United 2-1 Mumbai City
NorthEast United then put themselves in contention for the top spot with a famous win over Mumbai City FC. Colombian striker Wilmar Jordan scored twice, one from the spot for the win and almost completed his hat trick after seeing his effort coming off the woodwork in the first half. Apuia got one back for the ISL Shield Winners late in the match but it failed to spark any comeback.
Position | Teams | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
1 | Chennaiyin FC | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
2 | NorthEast United | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
3 | Mumbai City FC | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
4 | Churchill Brothers | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | -4 | 0 |
Final Group Fixtures
NorthEast United FC vs Churchill Brothers - Ems Stadium, Kozhikode (07:00 PM)
Mumbai City FC vs Chennaiyin FC - Payyanad stadium, Manjeri (07:00 PM)
Group D Probability
Chennaiyin FC
The equation for Chennaiyin FC is simple. Emerge is victorious against Mumbai City FC in the final group game and a place in the last four is theirs. A draw will also do them good provided that NorthEast United FC fail to beat Churchill Brothers who have already exited the contest. While goal difference is unlikely to play a factor here, Thomas Bradaric’s men have a healthy lead in that regard as well.
NorthEast United
The Highlanders have pulled themselves into the race for the semifinals with a huge victory over Mumbai City FC in the second group-stage game. NorthEast United need to win again to stand a chance for qualification and hope Chennaiyin FC failed to beat the Islanders. A draw against Churchill Brothers in the final group game will eliminate them from the competition.
Mumbai City FC
Like NorthEast, Mumbai City need to first manage a victory over Chennaiyin FC and hope the Highlanders do not get past Churchill Brothers in the game kicking off simultaneously.
Also Read | Hero Super Cup 2023: Who will win Group A?
