The ping-pong narrative of Maidaan Master’s fluctuating fortunes between international competitions and domestic focus continued this season, but this time, the club delivered a moment to remember. Darshan Shinde’s side finished 4th in the league with 69 points (a figure fans cheekily celebrated with chants of “Nice!”), earning them a coveted spot in the prestigious Super Cup for only the second time in their history.

“This club has come so far,” said a teary-eyed Randall Rodriguez, the team captain and goalkeeper. “When I joined, people barely knew us outside Norway. Now we’re in the top 150 clubs in the world and playing in the Super Cup. It’s incredible.”

Much of the season’s success was owed to the dazzling performances of two wingers, Patrick Wimmer and Yu Yao-hsing. Wimmer, the Austrian maestro, lit up the league with 39 goals in 35 matches, while Taiwanese dynamo Yu Yao-hsing wasn’t far behind, netting 34 in as many games. Together, they formed one of the most potent attacking duos in Europe.

“When you have wingers like them, it’s like playing with cheat codes,” joked Samuel Elvir, the Honduran attacking midfielder who himself contributed 14 goals and 15 assists. “They make my job easy—I just have to feed them the ball and watch the magic.”

The club also made a bold move in the transfer market, bringing in Jesper Karlström, a Swedish veteran from the Portuguese top division, for €15 million. At 35 and nearing retirement, the signing raised eyebrows, with critics labeling it a waste of money. Yet Karlström silenced doubters with his commanding performances as a defensive midfielder, mentoring young prospects like Arjun Singh Oinam and Abdallah Dwek.

“Jesper changed everything for us in midfield,” Shinde remarked. “He brought a level of composure and leadership we desperately needed. People said he was here for a year—he’ll be in our memories forever.”

Even the Norwegian Football Association chimed in on Maidaan Master’s rise. “To see one of our clubs break into the top 150 in the world is a moment of immense pride,” said a spokesperson. “Darshan Shinde is not just building a team—he’s building a legacy.”

Off the pitch, Shinde’s vision for youth development continued to make waves. The Maidaan Master academy, based in India, is becoming a melting pot of talent from around the globe. This season saw the promotion of Temülen Uuganbat, a promising young player from Mongolia.

“I never imagined I’d be playing for a top Norwegian club,” Uuganbat said. “Coach Shinde’s belief in players from unconventional football nations gives us all hope. He’s changing lives.”

Fans have rallied behind Shinde’s approach, with supporters’ groups growing in both Norway and India. “It’s not just football—it’s a movement,” said Ramesh Chopra, an ardent fan from Mumbai. “Darshan Shinde is showing the world what Indian football can achieve, while also giving opportunities to kids from places like Mongolia. It’s pure magic.”

The journey ahead will be challenging, with Maidaan Master needing to balance the Super Cup, league matches, and domestic cup competitions. But the belief in the squad is stronger than ever.

“Next year, we aim to do more than just compete in the Super Cup—we aim to learn, grow, and make our mark,” Wimmer declared confidently.

As the season closed, Shinde addressed fans in a heartfelt message: “This club is about resilience, belief, and a willingness to dream big. We’ve achieved so much, but the journey is far from over. Thank you for your unwavering support—this is just the beginning.”

With Shinde at the helm and a squad full of promise, Maidaan Master’s fans dare to dream of an even brighter future.