By Admin 
After almost a month-long break, teams have hit the reset button and will go again in the chase for the continental spot when the AIFF Super Cup semifinals get underway on Thursday at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here.
Past meetings and history between these sides count for little in what has been a disruptive start to the domestic season with no top-flight football.
Teams have undergone several personnel changes to their playing rosters, but have done well to hold on to their head coaches to maintain some semblance of stability.
Home team FC Goa’s clash with rival Mumbai City FC will be the standout fixture from the last-four stage. Both teams share a similar philosophy in their playing style, and their respective head coaches have promised to abide by their attacking nature.
Goa holds a narrow advantage among the semifinalists, having had more competitive matches under its belt due to its exploits in the AFC Champions League 2. Despite the five losses, Manolo Marquez’s men put in strong displays, including their recent defeat away to Al-Zawraa.
In the second semifinal, Punjab FC could provide a bruising challenge for East Bengal. Punjab will bring plenty of intensity and physicality to the table, hoping to disrupt East Bengal’s attacking rhythm.
Punjab is yet to concede a goal in its three group stage matches, but will be without its first-choice full-backs, Muhammad Uvais and Khaiminthang Lhungdim, who are suspended.
East Bengal centre-backs Anwar Ali and Kevin Sibille will have their hands full when they come up against Punjab’s Nigerian striker Effiong Nsungusi. If they manage to stifle him, it can set up the platform for the Red and Golds’ attackers to hurt Punjab.