Anwar Ali’s brace and Jason Cummings goal secure a comfortable win for Mohun Bagan Super Giant
In a thrilling encounter that marked the beginning of their AFC Cup campaign, the iconic Mohun Bagan Super Giant secured a convincing 3-1 victory over Nepal’s Machhindra Football Club in the preliminary round clash. The match took place at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, where Mohun Bagan showcased their dominance and determination, asserting their authority on the field.
Following this captivating victory, Mohun Bagan will encounter Dhaka Abahani in the upcoming AFC Cup preliminary match, scheduled to take place at the Salt Lake Stadium.
After experiencing a disappointing defeat in the Kolkata derby for the first time in nearly five years, Mohun Bagan fans were thoroughly disheartened. They were not happy with the gameplay of the team and the performance of players like Sadiku and Jason Cummings.
Wednesday’s Yuva Bharati solved that disappointment a lot. Mohun Bagan reached the second round of the AFC Cup South Qualifiers after beating Nepal’s Machindra FC. Jason Cummins, the Aussie World Cup player of green and maroon caught the eye.
From the first whistle, Mohun Bagan displayed their intent to set the tone for the AFC Cup campaign. With the enthusiastic support of their home crowd, they wasted no time in asserting their attacking prowess. The initial minutes of the match saw relentless pressure from Mohun Bagan’s forwards, testing Machhindra FC’s defense from the outset.
The Nepal goalkeeper, who stood as a wall for his team, brilliantly saved Sahal’s shots multiple times. Mohun Bagan made a lot of good moves and the combination play was causing a lot of problems to the Nepal defense. Although they failed to convert their chances, they were dominating the game.
Anwar Ali, first utilized a Hugo Boumous corner in the 38th minute for a well-connected powerful header into the far post to give the Mariners a lead against the run of play. Anwar showed his aerial ability once again and helped his side to score past the tough goalkeeper. The crowd went into a frenzy of cheers and celebrations. The opening goal not only lifted the spirits of the players but also highlighted the meticulous planning and execution by the coaching staff.
The Mariners led 1-0 at half-time. Although going by the flow of the first half they could have easily scored half a dozen goals. Bishal Shreshtha’s valiant saves under the bar for Machhindra FC kept the match alive.
The second half witnessed an intense battle on the field, as both teams displayed their determination to dictate the outcome of the match. Mohun Bagan’s defensive line held firm against Machhindra FC’s attempts to level the score. Consequently, their midfielders skilfully orchestrated plays to maintain control and possession.
Mohun Bagan was constantly threatening the opposition’s defense with their quick counterattacks. The Nepal goalkeeper saved a powerful shot by Asish Rai once again. Another opportunity got squandered as both Sahal and Dimitri missed the cross from Ashique and Manvir’s shot was saved.
Cummings doubled the lead in the 59th minute as he made a whizzing run from near the center line to calmly finish a Mohun Bagan counter-attack.
Machhindra FC, however, didn’t back down and responded with a burst of energy, determined to level the playing field. Their efforts bore fruit in the 78th minute when Oloumou pulled one back for Machhindra through a powerful freekick.
As the clock ticked down, Mohun Bagan sealed the deal in the 86th minute, putting the result beyond doubt. A set-piece when Dimitri Petratos delivered a right-footed cross from a free-kick and Ali struck from another header. Thus, the match ended in favor of the Mariners.
The victory showcased Mohun Bagan’s AFC Cup journey and highlighted their position as a dominant force in the tournament. The club’s coaching staff lauded the team’s approach, while the players celebrated the collective effort that resulted in the triumph.
There was another hindrance for Mohun Bagan as their brilliant midfielder Kuruniyan underwent an injury after they recorded their second goal and had to be stretchered off the field.
With this win, Mohun Bagan has set the stage for a promising AFC Cup campaign. Thus, igniting the hopes and dreams of fans who are eager to witness their team’s success on the continental stage. Mohun Bagan will face Abahani Limited Dhaka in their playoff fixture here on August 22.
