India’s domestic football action shifts to the much-awaited Super Cup, beginning from April 8 and midfielder Brandon Fernandes is upbeat about FC Goa defending their title despite not playing to potential in the recently-concluded Indian Super League (ISL) season.

“The Super Cup is very important for us. We are the defending champions and will go full strength with the sole mindset of winning it,” Fernandes told mid-day from Goa on Friday. All 11 ISL teams and RoundGlass Punjab FC, champions of the 2022-23 I-League, will get a direct entry into the group stage. Teams placed in second to 10th positions in the I-League will compete in the qualifying rounds for the four remaining group stage slots.