Panaji: FC Goa will look to give head coach Manolo Marquez a fitting farewell as they gear up to face Punjab FC in a high-stakes Super Cup quarterfinal clash at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar today. The match will kick off at 8 pm.
Coming off a commanding 3-0 win over Gokulam Kerala FC—powered by a sublime Iker Guarrotxena hat-trick—the Gaurs are the only side left in the competition with a chance to lift the trophy for a second time, having first tasted glory in 2019.
The Goans boast a perfect record against Punjab FC, unbeaten in four previous encounters, including two narrow wins in this season’s ISL. However, Marquez remains grounded. “Both matches this season were very even,” he warned, while praising Punjab’s strong Round-of-16 showing against Odisha FC.
“In ISL, it’s always been difficult against Punjab FC. This season, we were lucky to win in Fatorda, and then we won 1-0 away from home. I expect it to be a very even game tomorrow,” he said.
“We watched their game against Odisha FC in the Round of 16, and they showed that they arrived at a very good moment. But obviously, every game is like a final. We are optimistic, but we know that though we face a team that we beat twice in the ISL, both the matches were very even,” he added.
With a potent mix of attacking flair and defensive discipline, FC Goa will bank on key performers like Guarrotxena and a cohesive midfield to edge past a well-organised Punjab side. Marquez’s tactical nous and the team’s hunger for silverware may prove decisive.
Punjab FC coach Panagiotis Dilmperis, meanwhile, emphasized patience and strategy, hinting at a cautious approach with penalties as a fallback. But Goan fans will hope the Gaurs get the job done in regulation time—and edge one step closer to signing off the season in style.
Earlier in the day, a resurgent Kerala Blasters FC will take on Mohun Bagan SG in the first quarterfinal, which will begin at 4.30 pm.
