ATK Mohun Bagan Qualify For AFC Knockout Stages

ATK Mohun Bagan, made their way to the knockout stages of the AFC Cup from Group D, after drawing 1-1 against Basundhara Kings.
They finished at the top of the table and will be locking horns against Uzbekistan-based club FC Nasaf in the inter-zonal semi-finals, on 22nd September.

The Green and Maroon brigade, who qualified for this tournament as a consequence of winning the 2019-20 I-League, went unbeaten in three games of south zone group D fixtures at the neutral venue of National stadium of Male, Maldives.

Bagan started their journey against Bengaluru FC, the other Indian club in this tournament, and successfully defeated them 2-0. Roy Krihna’s back-head goal gave Kolkata giants the lead in the 39th minute. Subhashis Bose made it 2-0 as soon as the second half resumed.

In their next match held in Maldives, they were up against Maziya Sports and Recreation. With one goal conceded in the first half, Mohun Bagan made a comeback in the second with their captain Roy Krishna, Manvir Singh and Liston Colaco scoring a goal each. The match ended 3-1.

ATK Mohun Bagan needed just 1 point from their last encounter against Bangladeshi champions Bashundhara Kings. The game was evenly poised till the 28th minute when Brazilian forward Fernandes put the Kings ahead. But more than creative football the Bangladeshi side tried to dominate the game physically, which resulted in a red card and they were reduced to 10 men right at the stroke of halftime. Much more composed green and maroon brigade found the equaliser at the 62nd minute and ended the match 1-1.

Securing 7 points from 3 matches, the mariners emerged as group toppers which sealed their position in the inter-zone semifinal of the AFC Cup.