Bhubaneswar: Football fever is starting to hit fever pitch once again here as the Hero Super Cup reaches its business end with the two semi-finals looming on the horizon.
The last four stage begins on Monday with I-League giants East Bengal taking on Indian Super League side FC Goa in the first semi-final at Kalinga Stadium. The second semi-final features another Calcutta football giant, Mohun Bagan, and this year's Indian Super League finalists Bengaluru FC on Tuesday.
Indian national team and Bengaluru FC captain Sunil Chhetri on Sunday expressed his happiness over the venue and the people of Odisha. "We have had a great time in Bhubaneswar and the people are very welcoming. The ground is good with great infrastructure. The organisers have done a great job and I hope that they continue and make sure that they give this kind of platform to everyone who wants to play in Odisha," said India's all-time leading goal scorer.
The Football Association of Odisha and the state sports department are joint organisers of the inaugural edition of the Hero Super Cup.
Sports department officials said they were expecting a huge turnout in the final which will be held on April 20.
"Sizeable crowds were present during all the matches in the group stages and quarter finals. We were delighted when the fans remained glued to their seats despite the thunderstorms. The tournament has been successful so far," said a sports official.
Bengaluru has had prior experience of playing at Odisha, having seen off the challenge of Jamshedpur FC in the Indian Super League on February 25.
Tickets for the semi-final matches, priced between Rs 20 and Rs 100, will be available at the counter near the stadium. Sports officials said tickets are also available on www.bookmyshow.com.
Football fans in the city are also eagerly waiting for the last stages. "Some of the group matches were closely contested. We saw several players from the national team as well as good foreign recruits in action. We are hopeful of a close fight in the semi-finals and final as well," said Sudipta Mishra, a football fan.
