I-League champion Chennai City to play Super Cup

Chennai City FC's participation was in doubt after I-League clubs Minerva Punjab, Aizawl FC, Gokulam Kerala, East Bengal and Mohun Bagan had withdrawn from the competition in revolt against the AIFF.

Chennai City FC players celebrates after lifting the I-League championship.

I-League champion Chennai City FC will play its round-of-16 Super Cup fixture against Indian Super League side FC Pune City on Sunday.

Coach Akbar Nawas and midfielder Michael Regin turned up for the pre-match press conference at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Saturday. Team officials were also present at the match co-ordination meeting with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) officials.

READ | East Bengal and Mohun Bagan not to play Super Cup, others to follow suit

Nine I-League clubs including Chennai City had decided to skip the knock-out competition as they were unhappy with the AIFF.

However, team owner Rohit Ramesh had indicated to Sportstar on Thursday, “Considering our AFC Champions League spot is at stake, we are contemplating playing the Super Cup."

Kolkata giants East Bengal and Mohun Bagan gave a walkover in their respective matches against ISL teams Delhi Dynamos and Bengaluru FC.

Despite being crowned the I-League champion Nawas felt Pune City, which finished seventh in the ISL points table, was the superior side heading into the contest. "Favourites here would be Pune with their foreign players and coach. Player for player we are no match against any of the ISL clubs."