Federation cups

AFC Champions League Two: The fifth instalment of the Kalinga Super Cup will kick off on Sunday as 15 teams battle it out for the trophy and a slot in next season's AFC Champions League Two. Unlike the last two years, where the tournament witnessed a group stage followed by semifinals, this season will be purely in a knockout format like 2018 and 2019, meaning every game is 'do or die'.

The Kalinga Super Cup's special connection with Bhubaneswar goes without saying. Three of the four editions, since the first in 2018, were hosted at the Kalinga Stadium, and the only time the tournament was held outside Odisha, at Kozhikode in 2023, the trophy was won by Odisha FC and brought to Bhubaneswar.

Last year, East Bengal FC snatched the silverware, defeating the Juggernauts 3-2 after a thrilling period of extra-time in the final. The Red and Gold Brigade ended their 12-year wait for a national trophy, and are out to defend their crown on the same pitch. East Bengal are no stranger to defending cup titles, having won back-to-back Federation Cups in 2009-10 and 2010.