The current Indian Super League (ISL) League Shield Winners, a team that was ultimately defeated in the 2019 Super Cup, and two teams that are ready to go all guns blazing to get a fourth match in the competition comprise Group D at the Super Cup 2023.
Mumbai City FC, who won the League Shield this season, will now look to add the Super Cup to their trophy cabinet. In their first game, Chennaiyin FC will face NorthEast United FC in their quest for a long-awaited Super Cup trophy. The Highlanders, on the other hand, will look to rebound from a disappointing season in the ISL. Churchill Brothers will look to make their efforts count in the group stages after a valiant showing in the qualifying round.
The domestic contingent of Mumbai City FC played a significant role in their record-breaking ISL season, and they would like to reiterate the same in the Super Cup. As beaten finalists last term, Chennaiyin FC will have their tails up for this Super Cup. They showed glimpses of real threats during their league campaign but failed to qualify for the knockouts due to a lack of consistency and injuries to key players.
Abdenasser El Khayati will be crucial for the Marina Machans, as the Dutch midfielder is the linchpin of their attack. Apart from him, Chennaiyin FC also has Ghanaian forward Kwame Karikari and midfield marshal Julius Duker to rely on. Captain Anirudh Thapa will also play an important role in the attack.
The ISL 2022-23 season didn’t go as expected for NorthEast United FC, as they finished at the bottom of the points table with only one win from 20 games. They will now be heading to the Super Cup, hoping to get over the pain of the league competition. The Highlanders will look to use their physicality to counter the technical superiority of their opponents. Wilmar Jordan Gil has the highest goal threat in the squad, while Romain Philippoteaux will play the creative role.
NorthEast United FC could make this an interesting group and have the ability to do the unthinkable. They will have their chance to put those demons to bed when they return to action on 11 April.