Football: Mohun Bagan, FC Goa off to winning starts on opening weekend of 2025-26 AIFF Super Cup
Jamie McLaren stars for MBSG against Chennaiyin
Reigning Indian Super League Shield and ISL Cup champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant kicked off the 2025-26 domestic season with an impressive performance against Chennaiyin at the PNJ Stadium in Fatorda on Saturday afternoon.
MBSG were by far the better team from the off and dictated the tempo of play from the first whistle, while Thomas Aldred, Alberto Rodriguez and Mehtab Singh controlled matters at the back despite the torrential weather conditions.
The Mariners created the bulk of the chances in the first half and were rewarded with a breakthrough in the 38th minute when Liston Colaco produced a delightful back-heel to set up Jamie McLaren for the first goal of the afternoon.
The ISL champs almost doubled their advantage just before the interval through a couple of chances by Lalrinliana Hnamte, but both efforts were cleared almost off the line, as Chennaiyin held on for the halftime whistle.
As the rain eased at the start of the second period, the Sea Blues got the first big chance of the half, awarded a set-piece in a promising position, but the attempt lacked the precision required and went begging. You can keep up with all the Super Cup action using our football livescore tool.
MBSG then turned up the tempo once again and got their second of the afternoon, with Manvir Singh picking out McLaren with an inch-perfect cross, which the Aussie made no mistake in dispatching into the back of the net.
FC Goa beat Jamshedpur after rain delays restart
On Sunday, the reigning Super Cup champions FC Goa kicked off their title defence against Jamshedpur, just three days after hosting Saudi Pro League giants Al-Nassr in the AFC Champions League Two.
The match was a stop-start affair that lacked quality, though it was not due to poor play but because of the rain that continued to pelt down overnight, causing puddles in the outfield and holding the ball up.
The Gaurs took the lead on the stroke of half-time through Javier Siverio, but it was announced during the break that the second half would be delayed owing to the condition of the pitch at the PNJ Stadium in Fatorda.
After a 20-minute delay, match officials allowed the game to resume, and Borja Herrera’s cleared corner found its way to Dejan Drazic, who fired past the Jamshedpur keeper to extend his team’s lead with just shy of 20 minutes to play.
FC Goa’s next assignment will see them take on Inter Kashi on Wednesday, October 29, while Mohun Bagan will face Dempo SC on Tuesday afternoon.
