Spreading the beautiful game across different regions of the country is one of the key objectives in Vision 2047, and the Federation’s plan to host the Hero Super Cup in Kerala, where both Hero ISL and Hero I-League have come together, is part of it. the-aiff.com is currently in Malappuram and Kozhikode and is following the progress of the clubs in the Hero Super Cup closely in a series of stories.

Akhil Rawat
AIFF Media Team

MANJERI: The Hero Super Cup is back after four years and will feature 16 teams (11 from the Hero ISL and five from the Hero I-League). The competition will be played in two venues - the EMS Corporation Stadium in Kozhikode and the Payyanad Stadium in Manjeri. The Qualifying round took place from April 3-6, with four winners earning their spot in the Group Stages - Sreenidi Deccan FC, Churchill Brothers FC Goa, Aizawl FC and Gokulam Kerala FC.

The 16 teams have been divided into four groups of four teams each, with only the group winners progressing to the semi-finals. The final will be played on April 25 at the EMS Corporation Stadium in Kozhikode.

GROUP A (Kozhikode) - Kerala Blasters FC, Bengaluru FC, RoundGlass Punjab FC and Sreenidi Deccan FC

Group A of the Hero Super Cup contains heavyweights from both the Hero ISL and the Hero I-League. Bengaluru FC will hope to put their Hero ISL Final defeat behind them and end the season with silverware. Interestingly, both the Hero Super Cup editions so far have been won by teams who finished runners-up in the Hero ISL the same year (Goa in 2019 and Bengaluru themselves in 2018).

Present alongside Bengaluru in the group are Kerala Blasters FC, who were eliminated at the hands of Bengaluru FC in an incident-marred Hero ISL play-offs last month, taking an already heated rivalry to new heights. More fireworks can be expected when the two meet again in the last round of group matches on April 16.

This season's Hero I-League champions RoundGlass Punjab and runners-up Sreenidi Deccan round up Group A. RoundGlass Punjab, who cruised to the title, racking up 52 points in 22 games, will get their first taste of Hero ISL opposition in the Hero Super Cup before their promotion to the ISL next season (subject to fulfilling club licensing criteria).

Sreenidi Deccan were neck-to-neck with RoundGlass Punjab in the title race before losing steam in the final four games. After a three-week rest, the rejuvenated Deccan side secured their place in the Hero Super Cup with a 4-2 win over NEROCA in the qualifiers.

GROUP B (Manjeri) - Hyderabad FC, Odisha FC, East Bengal FC and Aizawl FC

Last season's Hero ISL champions Hyderabad FC were in fine form this time as well as they finished the league stage in second place. But the Nizams could not go past the semi-finals, losing on penalties to eventual champions ATK Mohun Bagan, and hence, will be hoping to make amends to their season on their Super Cup debut.

Also debuting in the Hero Super Cup will be Odisha FC. They ended sixth in the league stage to qualify for the playoffs for the first time but were eliminated by ATK Mohun Bagan as well. Just days before the start of the Super Cup, Odisha got a big boost with the contract extension of Hero ISL Golden Boot winner Diego Maurício.

East Bengal will fancy a repeat of their brilliant run in their Super Cup appearance in 2018 when they reached the final but were beaten by Bengaluru FC. The Red and Gold Brigade have had a tough time since making the switch to the Hero ISL, but things have looked marginally better recently as they picked up six wins this campaign after winning just four in the last two seasons combined.

East Bengal eliminated Aizawl FC in the 2018 quarter-final and will meet them again after the Reds edged TRAU 1-0 for the Qualifiers' spot in the group. No wins in their last seven Hero I-League games saw Aizawl slip to seventh place in the standings but the Qualifiers' win has given them a chance to prove themselves in front of some of Hero ISL's big guns.

GROUP C (Kozhikode) - ATK Mohun Bagan FC, FC Goa, Jamshedpur FC and Gokulam Kerala FC

Newly-crowned Hero ISL champions ATK Mohun Bagan are the top attraction of Group C. The Mariners edged Bengaluru on penalties in a thrilling final in Goa three weeks ago and will be on the hunt for an unprecedented ISL-Super Cup double when they take the stage in Kerala.

FC Goa, champions of the previous edition in 2019 after beating Chennaiyin FC 2-1 in the final in Bhubaneswar, are out to defend their title four years later. Having narrowly missed out on the Hero ISL playoffs this year, the Gaurs have no shortage of motivation to finish their season on a high in the Super Cup.

Former Hero ISL Shield Winners Jamshedpur FC had a forgettable campaign this time around, finishing in 10th place with just 19 points. The misery continued for the Red Miners as they were beaten 1-3 by Mumbai City FC in the AFC Champions League qualification playoff on Tuesday, meaning the Super Cup presents the last opportunity for them to gain any positives from this season.

Local favourites Gokulam Kerala FC sealed the qualifiers spot in the group with a 5-2 demolition of Mohammedan Sporting. The two-time Hero I-League champions failed to get going this season and finished in fourth place. However, going by the Malabarians' solid qualifying performance and strong home support, it would be a mistake to take them lightly.

GROUP D (Manjeri) - Mumbai City FC, Chennaiyin FC, NorthEast United FC and Churchill Brothers FC Goa

It's been a top-notch season for Mumbai City FC, who clinched their second Hero ISL League Winners' Shield and secured qualification to the AFC Champions League Group Stage for a second successive season. The only negative was the painful defeat on penalties at the hands of Bengaluru in the Hero ISL semi-finals. For the Super Cup, the Islanders have named an all-Indian squad led by captain Rahul Bheke.

It was another mediocre Hero ISL campaign for two-time champions Chennaiyin FC as they ended in eighth place. Three straight wins to finish off the league stage were not enough for the Marina Machans, who missed out on the playoffs by just three points. However, ahead of the Super Cup, Chennaiyin will draw inspiration from their solid run in the 2019 edition when they made it to the final.

NorthEast United FC collected just five points in 22 games - the lowest tally ever of any team in a Hero ISL season. Their only win, surprisingly, came against champions ATK Mohun Bagan. However, unlike Chennaiyin, NorthEast United have no past Super Cup success to gain inspiration from as they were knocked out in the opening round in both tournaments so far.

Hero I-League side Churchill Brothers introduced themselves as the dark horses of the group with their 6-0 thrashing of Real Kashmir in the Qualifiers. New signing Ansumana Kromah had a dream debut, pumping in four goals, and will look to form a lethal partnership with former NorthEast United forward Martín Cháves.

The Hero Super Cup will be telecast live on Sony Sports Network and streamed live on the FanCode app. Rajesh Kaul, Chief Revenue Officer, Distribution and Head, Sports Business, Sony Pictures, said: “It gives us immense pleasure to expand our football portfolio by acquiring rights to the Hero Super Cup. The tournament has been essential in showcasing the clash between some of the biggest Indian footballing clubs. With the acquisitions, we aim to provide the best football action to the fans in the country.”