Super Cup 2025: Catala slams players' mentality after quarterfinal exit
Former KBFC midfielder Sahal Abdul Samad scored the opening goal, while 20-year-old Suhail Bhat scored the eventual winner to send MBSG into the semifinal, where it will face FC Goa.
'I am disappointed because we had some expectations for this competition. We tried to change the mentality of the players, but I can see that some of them still have not changed,' Catala told the media at the post-match press conference.
ALSO READ | Mohun Bagan Super Giant youngsters pass Kerala Blasters test to book spot in last four
After a promising win against defending champion East Bengal in the round of 16, KBFC failed to match the quality and had a forgettable time in defence as well as in front of goal.
MBSG's young wingers, Salahudheen Adnan K and Ashique Kuruniyan, made light work of skipping past KBFC fullbacks Huidrom Naocha Singh and Hormipam Ruivah, respectively, before setting up the goals for their side.
'I thought that we were strong in defence, but then we ended up conceding two easy goals. We knew their strength and that they were going to attack us from the sides, but still we were very soft in the 1v1's and it ended up costing us the game,' Catala admitted.
In attack, Spanish striker Jesus Jimenez, who was the club's top scorer in the recently concluded Indian Super League season (11 goals), missed as many as three clear-cut chances in the second half.
He sent two close-range attempts off target in a span of three minutes before miscuing his shot into the opposition goalkeeper's gloves with the goal at his mercy, late in the game.
'We had a lot of chances to score, but we were not efficient enough. If you really are ready and concentrating 100 per cent, then we simply cannot miss these chances. Meanwhile, they (MBSG) created just two or three clear chances and scored two goals,' Catala said.
When asked if the absence of the injured Adrian Luna played a factor in the loss, Catala refused to make excuses and asserted that football is a team game, and it would not be fair to depend on just one player.
'We are a team, so it is not a matter of missing just one player. I think we were not strong enough to compete today, and this is something that we need to improve on for our upcoming season,' Catala concluded.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
30 minutes ago
- The Hindu
La Liga 2025-26: Flick keeps faith as Barcelona races against time to register new recruits ahead of opener
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick remains confident his club will register key players including new signings Joan Garcia and Marcus Rashford in time for Saturday's La Liga opener at Mallorca, despite ongoing financial fair play complications. The Spanish champion is still scrambling to register players due to La Liga's strict financial rules, having spent more on signings and wages than it has generated in revenue for multiple seasons. 'For me, the situation, you can imagine I'm not happy about that. But I know the situation and I believe in the club,' Flick told reporters on Friday. 'We have to wait till tomorrow. It was the same situation last season. We will focus on what we can change and what is in our hands. The other things, I believe in the club.' Barcelona signed goalkeeper Garcia from local rival Espanyol in June while Wojciech Szczesny has signed an extension, but neither player has been registered yet. ALSO READ | New Real Madrid signing Mastantuono praises fellow Argentine Lionel Messi during unveiling The club's registration headache has been partly resolved through some dramatic internal manoeuvring involving captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen. The German keeper initially refused to sign a long-term medical leave agreement that would clear 80 per cent of his wages and help the club comply with financial rules. Sidelined for at least three months due to surgery, he was stripped of his captaincy before it was reinstated when he eventually agreed to the deal. 'I think the most important thing is that everyone speaks together. Marc and the club, they spoke,' Flick said. 'The most important thing for me, for Marc and the club is that he comes back. 'He's shown for many years here that he's a fantastic goalkeeper and the important thing is that he comes back and is ready to play. We'll all help him, we're all on his side.' On the side's defence The departure of 34-year-old defender Inigo Martinez to Saudi Arabia's Al-Nassr has also freed up crucial salary space, although Flick admitted mixed feelings about losing the veteran who was a mainstay in central defence. FILE PHOTO: Despite the defensive reshuffle, Flick indicated he will not rush into the transfer market, backing the versatile 23-year-old Gerard Martin to step up. | Photo Credit: REUTERS 'I was a little bit surprised but I could totally understand him. I'm not happy that he left, he's a fantastic player and has a great personality,' Flick said. 'He was one of our leaders, he was outstanding not only as a player but also a personality in the dressing room. He deserves this and I wish him all the best.' Despite the defensive reshuffle, Flick indicated he will not rush into the transfer market, backing the versatile 23-year-old Gerard Martin to step up. 'Gerard can also play in this position. From what I've seen, I really appreciate that. Last season, as a left back, he was fantastic and improved a lot,' he added. 'When he played as centre back, he was doing well. He's a good option. I like players who can play in different positions.'
Economic Times
2 hours ago
- Economic Times
Cristiano Ronaldo in India? After Lionel Messi, Portuguese football superstar might play against FC Goa in AFC Champions League 2
FC Goa is set to clash with Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr in Group D of the AFC Champions League 2, marking their second continental appearance. The draw places them alongside Al Zawraa SC and FC Istiklol, with the tournament running from September 16 to December 24. Mohun Bagan Super Giant will also participate in Group C. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Lionel Messi in India Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Indian Super League team FC Goa is set to face superstar Cristiano Ronaldo 's Al Naser of Saudi Arabia in Group D of the AFC Champions League 2, the continent's second tier club competition, beginning September Naser is captained by Ronaldo , the Portuguese five-time Ballon d'Or winner, but failed to qualify for AFC Champions League Elite after finishing third in the Saudi Pro League They are now clubbed in Group D of ACL 2, alongside FC Goa, Al Zawraa SC of Iraq and FC Istiklol of Tajikistan. The draw for the tournament was conducted at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Goa are the winners of the Super Cup 2025 and semifinalists in the ISL 2024-25 The tournament will be played in home and away format. However, it is not certain yet ifRonaldo will play in India in FC Goa's home 2023, Mumbai City FC was clubbed along Neymar Junior's Al Hilal, also of Saudi Arabia, but the Brazilian superstar did not play his club's away match at DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai as he suffered an injury before the Goa secured the group stage qualification after beating Al Seeb Club of Oman 2-1 in the play-off match in Margao on Wednesday. This will be the team's second continental appearance after having represented India in the 2021 AFC Champions League (ACL), then the continent's top tier club Mohun Bagan Super Giant, the ISL 2024-25 Shield Winners, will play in Group C alongside Sepahan SC of Iran, Al Hussein SC of Jordan and Ahal FC of will be Mohun Bagan SG's eighth appearance in Asia's second-tier club competition, which was earlier called AFC teams, 16 each in the West and the East Zone, have been divided into eight groups of four each. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the Round of group stage will run from September 16 to December 24. The Round of 16 will take place between February 10-19, 2026. The quarter-finals and semi-finals are set for March 3-12 and April 7-15, respectively, with the final scheduled for May 16, Lionel Messi's much-anticipated visit to India has received its final seal of approval with the Argentine superstar set to kick off his three-city tour in Kolkata on December 12, promoter of the event Satadru Dutta said on will be the first stop in Messi's whirlwind trip named 'GOAT Tour of India 2025', followed by Ahmedabad, Mumbai and New might be accompanied by Inter Miami teammates Rodrigo De Paul, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets among others but Dutta refused to divulge any visit will feature masterclass with children in each city, aimed at inspiring the next generation of Indian will land in Kolkata on the night of December 12 and spend two days and one night in his longest stop on the December 13 schedule begins with a meet-and-greet in the morning, which will also feature a special food and tea festival.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Cristiano Ronaldo in India? After Lionel Messi, Portuguese football superstar might play against FC Goa in AFC Champions League 2
Indian Super League team FC Goa is set to face superstar Cristiano Ronaldo 's Al Naser of Saudi Arabia in Group D of the AFC Champions League 2, the continent's second tier club competition, beginning September 16. Independence Day 2025 Op Sindoor to water cutoff: PM Modi slams Pak in I-Day speech GST reforms by Diwali to cut daily-use taxes: PM Modi Terrorism, tech, more: PM's I-Day speech highlights Al Naser is captained by Ronaldo, the Portuguese five-time Ballon d'Or winner, but failed to qualify for AFC Champions League Elite after finishing third in the Saudi Pro League . They are now clubbed in Group D of ACL 2, alongside FC Goa, Al Zawraa SC of Iraq and FC Istiklol of Tajikistan. The draw for the tournament was conducted at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Friday. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Knee Pain? This Morning Trick Helps Wellnee Undo FC Goa are the winners of the Super Cup 2025 and semifinalists in the ISL 2024-25 . The tournament will be played in home and away format. However, it is not certain yet ifRonaldo will play in India in FC Goa's home match. Live Events In 2023, Mumbai City FC was clubbed along Neymar Junior's Al Hilal, also of Saudi Arabia, but the Brazilian superstar did not play his club's away match at DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai as he suffered an injury before the fixture. FC Goa secured the group stage qualification after beating Al Seeb Club of Oman 2-1 in the play-off match in Margao on Wednesday. This will be the team's second continental appearance after having represented India in the 2021 AFC Champions League (ACL), then the continent's top tier club competition. Meanwhile, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, the ISL 2024-25 Shield Winners, will play in Group C alongside Sepahan SC of Iran, Al Hussein SC of Jordan and Ahal FC of Turkmenistan. This will be Mohun Bagan SG's eighth appearance in Asia's second-tier club competition, which was earlier called AFC Cup. Thirty-two teams, 16 each in the West and the East Zone, have been divided into eight groups of four each. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the Round of 16. The group stage will run from September 16 to December 24. The Round of 16 will take place between February 10-19, 2026. The quarter-finals and semi-finals are set for March 3-12 and April 7-15, respectively, with the final scheduled for May 16, 2026. Lionel Messi in India Meanwhile, Lionel Messi's much-anticipated visit to India has received its final seal of approval with the Argentine superstar set to kick off his three-city tour in Kolkata on December 12, promoter of the event Satadru Dutta said on Friday. Kolkata will be the first stop in Messi's whirlwind trip named 'GOAT Tour of India 2025', followed by Ahmedabad, Mumbai and New Delhi. Messi's might be accompanied by Inter Miami teammates Rodrigo De Paul, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets among others but Dutta refused to divulge any name. Messi's visit will feature masterclass with children in each city, aimed at inspiring the next generation of Indian footballers. He will land in Kolkata on the night of December 12 and spend two days and one night in his longest stop on the tour. His December 13 schedule begins with a meet-and-greet in the morning, which will also feature a special food and tea festival.
