This article is about the original cup match between the league and cup champions. For the present-day tournament between Indian Super League and I-League teams, see Super Cup (India).
The Indian Super Cup was Indian football's annual match contested between the champions of the previous National Football League or I-League season and the holders of the Federation Cup, usually held at a neutral venue. If the League champions also won the Federation Cup then the league runners-up would provide the opposition. The fixture was usually considered the curtain raiser to the Indian football domestic season.
The fixture was last contested in 2011 when East Bengal won the cup for the third time, defeating Salgaocar 9–8 on penalties.
History
The Indian Super Cup was started in 1997 by the All India Football Federation as a playoff between the then National Football League champions and Federation Cup holders.[1] The first edition took place that year between the 1996–97 NFL (first season in league history) champions JCT Mills and 1996 Federation Cup holders East Bengal. After the match ended 0–0, East Bengal won the first Super Cup on penalties 4–2.[2]Salgaocar proceeded to win the next two editions of the Super Cup before the tournament was suspended for three seasons.[1] When the cup returned in 2003 Mahindra United defeated East Bengal on penalties 4–3 after drawing them 1–1.[1] The cup was then held seven more times before being suspended and hasn't been played since the 2011 fixture.[1]
Records
The most successful side in the Indian Super Cup is East Bengal. The club have won the annual fixture three times.
