The AIFF Super Cup 2025-26 has reached a crucial stage, and Group D is now delicately poised following victories for both Kerala Blasters FC and Mumbai City FC.
With one rounds completed, both sides have three points each, a win for both today will set up a mouth-watering group decider between two of Indian football’s modern heavyweights.
As things stand, Mumbai City lead the group on goal difference after their 4–1 demolition of SC Delhi, while Kerala Blasters edged past Rajasthan United 1–0 in a tight contest.
Current Group D Standings
| Position | Club | MP | G | Pts |
| 1 | Mumbai City | 1 | 4:1 | 3 |
| 2 | Kerala Blasters | 1 | 1:0 | 3 |
| 3 | Rajasthan United | 1 | 0:1 | 0 |
| 4 | SC Delhi | 1 | 1:4 | 0 |
Mumbai City Assert Authority Early
Mumbai City FC, the reigning ISL Shield winners, have wasted no time in showing why they remain India’s most complete footballing side. Their 4–1 victory over SC Delhi was a statement of intent a blend of precision passing, tactical width, and ruthless finishing that underlined coach Petr Kratky’s philosophy.
Mumbai’s attacking quartet l led by Jon Toral and Bipin Singh dismantled Delhi’s defensive setup with ease. The side’s possession-heavy, high-pressing style suffocated Delhi into errors, allowing Mumbai to control both tempo and territory.
The 4–1 scoreline reflected not just superiority but also depth in quality. Even as Kratky rotated his bench, the team maintained attacking shape and defensive discipline.
More importantly, the large margin of victory gave Mumbai a +3 goal difference advantage that could prove decisive if they draw against Kerala in their next outing.
For Kratky, it’s not merely about winning it’s about setting standards. “We play to dominate every phase of the game. Whether it’s ISL or the Super Cup, we want to dictate the rhythm,” he said post-match.
Mumbai’s formula remains familiar yet frightening: retain possession, exploit transitions, and finish clinically. It’s the same model that carried them through continental competitions in recent seasons, and it continues to separate them from their domestic rivals.
Kerala Blasters Grind Out a Gritty Win
If Mumbai’s victory will be clinical, Kerala Blasters’ 1–0 result against Rajasthan United was a study in patience and resilience. Playing in the early evening heat at the GMC Athletic Stadium, Bambolim, the Blasters faced a disciplined I-League side that defended deep and relied on counterattacks.
Blasters coach David Català fielded a full-strength lineup led by Adrian Luna and Dimitrios Diamantakos, aiming for control through possession. However, Rajasthan’s compact structure frustrated the Kochi side for large parts of the match.
The breakthrough in the first match came in the 68th minute, when Rahul KP capitalized on a defensive lapse to slot home the only goal of the game. Kerala’s defensive stability, marshaled by Milad Sheykh Soleimani and Prabir Das, ensured the lead held firm despite a few nervy moments in stoppage time.
For Català, the takeaway was simple victory over aesthetics. “Cup football is about surviving and advancing. We controlled the game but didn’t convert enough chances. That’s something we’ll fix before the next match,” he said.
The win will keep Kerala level with Mumbai at the top, though their goal difference (+1) trails the Islanders’ +3 as things stand. That gap, however small, could carry heavy implications later.
SC Delhi and Rajasthan United: Different Pains, Same Outcome
For SC Delhi, formerly Hyderabad FC, the Super Cup has been a painful start to a new chapter. Rebranded and relocated to the capital just weeks before kickoff, the team looks far from settled. The 4–1 loss to Mumbai exposed glaring tactical gaps, especially in defense.
Delhi’s struggles stem not from a lack of talent but from instability. Their new management and coaching staff have barely had time to implement systems, and the players’ chemistry is understandably raw. Against Mumbai, their midfield collapsed under pressure, and their backline struggled to cope with overlapping runs.
Meanwhile, Rajasthan United, despite their defeat, can take pride in a spirited performance. The I-League club matched Kerala for intensity and organization, even threatening on counters. But as so often happens in cup competitions, one lapse proved fatal.
The result leaves both Rajasthan and Delhi at the bottom of Group D with zero points and negative goal differences. For them, the path ahead is about salvaging pride and momentum rather than qualification.
The upcoming Mumbai City vs Kerala Blasters fixture will looms as the defining moment of Group D. Both teams will have identical points should they score victory today, but their contrasting styles set up a fascinating clash.
Mumbai thrive on control positional play, vertical progression, and efficiency in the final third. Kerala, under Català, rely on aggression, energy, and counter-pressing transitions. While Mumbai enter as favorites, Kerala’s compact defense and direct playstyle have historically troubled possession-based sides.
Statistically, the contest is almost even in recent years. Across their last seven meetings, Mumbai have won three, Kerala two, with two draws. But in knockout settings, form can collapse under pressure.
The goal difference equation adds another layer of intrigue. A draw would keep Mumbai top (GD +3) unless Kerala win by a two-goal margin in their final group game. For the Blasters, victory against Mumbai is the only sure path to the semi-finals.
Beyond qualification, the Super Cup remains India’s key link to continental football. The champion earns a berth in the 2026–27 AFC Champions League Two, a gateway to Asia’s growing competitive circuit.
For both Mumbai City and Kerala Blasters, continental participation is a strategic objective. It not only enhances brand visibility but also attracts global partnerships, player sponsorships, and greater marketability.
Moreover, the Cup serves as a proving ground for depth players and tactical experimentation. Clubs treat it as a barometer of progress a test of adaptability outside the rigors of the ISL format.
As Group D stands, Mumbai City and Kerala Blasters have established themselves as the frontrunners, while Rajasthan United and SC Delhi face early exits.
The standings Mumbai City (4:1, 3 pts), Kerala Blasters (1:0, 3 pts), Rajasthan United (0:1, 0 pts), SC Delhi (1:4, 0 pts) perfectly capture the hierarchy of Indian club football today.
The November 6 clash between Mumbai and Kerala promises to be one of the tournament’s defining moments a battle of philosophies, form, and firepower.
Two giants enter. Only one will survive.
