AFC Cup 2023-24 football: Mohun Bagan beat Machhindra 3-1 to march into playoffs

Indian football club Mohun Bagan Super Giant defeated Nepal’s Machhindra FC 3-1 in the second preliminary round of AFC Cup 2023-24 at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Wednesday.

Newcomers Anwar Ali (38’, 86’) and Jason Cummings (59’) scored their first goals in green and maroon while Pierre Oloumou (78’) struck one for the visitors.

With this victory, Mohun Bagan SG advanced to the AFC Cup 2023-24 playoffs scheduled for next week. The Indian Super League side will take on Dhaka Abahani from Bangladesh for a place in the AFC Cup group stages, which starts on September 18.

Mohun Bagan tested the Machhindra backline from the start and made multiple forays into the opposition box. The Nepalese club, captained by goalkeeper Bishal Shrestha, denied Mohun Bagan SG the lead in the first 30 minutes.

Anwar Ali, who joined Mohun Bagan SG last month, broke the deadlock in the 38th minute by heading in Hugo Boumous' corner kick into the net.

Machhindra, who relied more on short passes in the first half, changed their game to challenge Mohun Bagan through long balls. However, the Mariners also switched flanks well and doubled their lead through their Australian striker Jason Cummings in the 59th minute.

Machhindra scored their first goal in the 78th minute through Pierre Oloumou, whose impressive free-kick from outside the box ignited the hopes of a late comeback for the Nepalese side.

However, Anwar Ali’s precise header from another set-piece situation in the 86th restored Mohun Bagan SG’s two-goal lead.

Mohun Bagan SG, previously known as ATK Mohun Bagan, had impressive campaigns in the previous two AFC Cup seasons. They topped the group stage on both occasions but faltered at the inter-zone semi-finals stage.

Indian Super Cup champions Odisha FC have already qualified for the AFC Cup 2023-24 group stages.