KOLKATA: Mohun Bagan Super Giant commenced their journey in the 2023-24 AFC Cup with an authoritative 3-1 triumph over Nepal’s Machhindra FC in Preliminary Round 2. The team’s recent additions, Anwar Ali and Jason Cummings, marked their debut with goals. Ali, the young Indian center-back, utilized his adept header skills from set-piece situations to score twice. Simultaneously, Cummings, the experienced Australian striker, skillfully evaded the goalkeeper to secure his goal.
Throughout the initial half, Mohun Bagan Super Giant dictated the pace of the game, amassing 13 attempts, while leaving their opponents with none. Bishal Shrestha, Machhindra FC’s captain and goalkeeper, showcased a series of remarkable saves before eventually conceding to a well-executed corner by Hugo Boumous. Anwar Ali capitalized on the opportunity, heading the ball into the net in the 40th minute, securing the lead for his team.
Sahal Abdul Samad, a significant new addition to the team, showcased his energy in his debut start for the club. He would have found the scoresheet twice in the opening half if not for the exceptional efforts of Machhindra FC’s goalkeeper.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with Mohun Bagan SG maintaining consistent offensive pressure but struggling in the crucial final third. In a strategic move to secure victory, Head Coach Juan Ferrando introduced forwards Manvir Singh and Dimitrios Petratos. The tactic swiftly paid off as Petratos assisted Cummings, his fellow countryman, who skillfully bypassed the goalkeeper and slotted the ball into the open net in the 56th minute.
Tensions escalated for the Kolkata giants when Machhindra FC exhibited offensive prowess, pulling a goal back in the 78th minute through a thunderous left-footed free-kick courtesy of Pierre Jean Oloumou. The shot found the top-right corner of the net. In response, Juan Ferrando’s squad reacted positively, eschewing a defensive approach and instead pushing forward to regain control. Their determination bore fruit in the 86th minute when Anwar Ali secured his second goal of the match, directing in a well-delivered free-kick by Petratos.
This victory emerged as a much-needed morale booster for Mohun Bagan Super Giant, enabling them to rebound from a disappointing showing in the Kolkata derby. With this triumph, the Mariners advanced to the South Zone Play-off of the AFC Cup. They are set to confront Abahani Limited Dhaka on August 22.
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Kolkata: mohun bagan outstanding giant started out their adventure in the 2023-24 afc cup with an authoritative 3-1 conquer nepal’s machhindra fc in preliminary spherical 2. The team’s latest additions, anwar ali and jason cummings, marked their debut with desires. Ali, the younger indian center-returned, applied his adept header abilities from set-piece situations to attain twice. Concurrently, cummings, the experienced australian striker, skillfully evaded the goalkeeper to at ease his purpose.
At some point of the preliminary half of, mohun bagan remarkable massive dictated the pace of the sport, gathering 13 tries, while leaving their combatants with none. Bishal shrestha, machhindra fc’s captain and goalkeeper, showcased a chain of notable saves before eventually conceding to a nicely-carried out corner by using hugo boumous. Anwar ali capitalized on the opportunity, heading the ball into the internet inside the fortieth minute, securing the lead for his group.
Sahal abdul samad, a good sized new addition to the team, showcased his power in his debut start for the club. He might have determined the scoresheet twice in the opening half if now not for the great efforts of machhindra fc’s goalkeeper.
The second one half of accompanied a comparable pattern, with mohun bagan sg maintaining steady offensive stress however suffering inside the crucial very last 0.33. In a strategic circulate to relaxed victory, head train juan ferrando brought forwards manvir singh and dimitrios petratos. The method swiftly paid off as petratos assisted cummings, his fellow countryman, who skillfully bypassed the goalkeeper and slotted the ball into the open internet within the 56th minute.
Tensions escalated for the kolkata giants whilst machhindra fc exhibited offensive prowess, pulling a purpose back within the 78th minute thru a thunderous left-footed unfastened-kick courtesy of pierre jean oloumou. The shot discovered the pinnacle-proper nook of the net. In response, juan ferrando’s squad reacted definitely, eschewing a protecting method and alternatively pushing forward to regain control. Their dedication bore fruit within the 86th minute whilst anwar ali secured his second goal of the in shape, directing in a well-introduced loose-kick by petratos.
This victory emerged as a much-needed morale booster for mohun bagan superb large, enabling them to rebound from a disappointing displaying within the kolkata derby. With this triumph, the mariners advanced to the south region play-off of the afc cup. They are set to confront abahani restricted dhaka on august 22.