Top 5 Attackers of the 2023 Super Cup
Coming back after a wait of four years, the 2023 Super Cup took the footballing world by storm. Instead of the old knockout format, this season’s Super Cup had an advanced round-robin format that included more matches and fun for teams and fans.
From astounding goals to awe-inspiring saves, not even a single day of the tournament was dull as every match was filled with sheer astonishment and excitement. It was expected that the Indian Super League clubs would have the upper hand over the I-League clubs, however, Sreenidi Deccan proved the critics wrong by upsetting the likes of Kerala Blasters clean in the first match.
Players such as Jorge Pereyra Diaz, Lallianzuala Chhangte, and Dimitri Petratos, who performed exceptionally well in the ISL, were expected to dominate the Indian Super Cup but Deigo Mauricio and Nandhakumar Sekar stole the limelight with their brilliant teamwork & lethal finishing leading their side to their maiden trophy.
In the campaign full of goals, we saw attackers taking a toll on the defenders. Hence, just like any other season, we got to see some finest strikers and goal poachers helping their side advance through different stages of the cup competition.
Numerous players gave amazing individual performances across the span of all the matchdays, however, only a few managed to provide the team when they needed it the most. Hence, let’s take a look at the list of five attackers who had the most impressive campaign in the 2023 edition of the Super Cup.
5. Emil Benny (NorthEast United)
Emil Benny was another star in the attacking line of NorthEast United. He played a pivotal role in goalscoring for the Highlanders as he fed skipper Wilmar Jordán Gil advanced chances to score. He was confident on the right wing as he bullied the defenders of Mumbai City thoroughly in their group-stage fixture.
Floyd Pinto’s side surprised the Indian football fans by reaching the semifinal of the Super Cup by getting the better of Des Buckingham’s men. Mumbai City was the favorite to top the group, however, Emil Benny and Wilmar Jordán Gil didn’t let that happen easily.
4. Naorem Mahesh Singh (East Bengal)
Naorem Mahesh Singh is a bright prospect for East Bengal and the Indian football team
The choice between East Bengal’s Naorem Mahesh Singh and Jamshedpur’s Boris Singh Thangjam was extremely difficult to make. However, the 24-year-old had a slightly better season. Irrespective of The Red Miners reaching the semi-final, Boris Singh was a little less effective than the compatriot.
East Bengal failed to advance into the playoffs after all of their group-stage fixtures ended as a draw. However, they showed brilliant enthusiasm against the Yellow Army in their second group stage match, but their defense regularly failed to strike gold.
Mahesh has a brilliant ability to pressurize the opposition in the early minutes and take a quick lead. However, his impact on the game drops as the match proceeds. The young Indian attacker scored thrice for East Bengal in the group stage but in the end, all the goals went in vain.
3. Nandhakumar Sekar (Odisha)
Nandhakumar Sekar’s performance in every single match of the 2023 Super Cup was outstanding. The 27-year-old was an integral part of Odisha’s attack as well as their memorable triumph on the big stage. Nandhakumar’s efficiency and skill played a pivotal role in converting most of the chances and taking down Bengaluru’s defense with a charm.
He also scored a number of crucial goals for the side against East Bengal in the season opener and against NorthEast United in the semifinal, both of the goals were desperately needed equalizers. Also, his brilliant on-ground pairing with Diego Mauricio and Victor Rodriguez became a serious threat to all the opposition teams.
The 27-year-old was a part of Odisha since its inception in 2019-20 and now he has emerged in the role of an absolute poacher. Sekar has a brilliant skill of being available at crucial times which makes him a valuable asset for any team he plays for in the future. However, it’s rumored that East Bengal can sign the Bhubaneswar-born player for the upcoming season from Odisha.
2. Wilmar Jordan Gil (NorthEast United)
Wilmar Jordan Gil won the Super Cup Golden Boot with 7 goals in four matches
Just like Clifford Miranda’s Odisha, NorthEast United was another underdog who managed to make it to the semi-finals. The major reason behind their magnificent form in the group stage was none other than Wilmar Jordan Gil. The target man helped the side overcome challenges presented by other ISL as well as I-League sides.
They were drawn in the group of ISL Shield winners Mumbai City, Chennaiyin, and I-League side Churchill Brothers. The Highlanders started their campaign with a 4-2 loss against Chennaiyin, however, they later caught the pace to record a couple of wins to reach the semifinals.
Interestingly, NorthEast United scored a total of 11 goals, out of which seven were scored by the Columbian. Also, only two hat-tricks were scored in the whole tournament and they came in the very same match. One by Wilmar Jordan for Odisha and the other by Ansumana Kromah for Churchill Brothers.
Hence, the Columbian striker won the Golden Boot for the third edition of the Super Cup. Also, Wilmar Jordan Gil added a lot of strength to Floyd Pinto’s side playing as a great leader.
1. Diego Maurício (Odisha)
The main reason behind Odisha holding the 2023 Super Cup trophy is Diego Mauricio. It’s fair to say that the Brazilian did everything to see his team stand on the podium with their heads held high. His hard work and desire were on a whole different level during the whole cup competition.
After a brilliant Indian Super League season where he was awarded the Golden Boot, the 31-year-old entered the Super Cup with a similar mindset. Playing their first match against East Bengal, Odisha played a 1-1 draw where Mauricio failed to get on the scoresheet. However, then the Brazilian forward didn’t look back.
He eventually came out as the top scorer for the side with menacing goals against the likes of Aizawl, Hyderabad, NorthEast United, and Bengaluru. The Brazilian ended his Super Cup campaign with five goals and two assists.
His best performance came when the side needed it the most in the final against Simon Grayson’s Bengaluru as Mauricio scored a brace helping his side secure the trophy 2-1. The ISL Golden Boot winner was easily finding spaces across both the flanks at difficult positions. Diego Mauricio was able to capitalize on the crucial moments and give Clifford Miranda’s Juggernauts’s side the much-required cushion.