Dhaka, Nov 7 (Representative) Mohun Bagan Super Giant will be looking to enhance their prospects of advancing to the next round of the AFC Cup as they embark on a challenging journey to Dhakato face the Bashundhara Kings on Tuesday. In Group D of the AFC Cup, Mohun Bagan SG are currently placed at the summit. They are the sole undefeated team in their group, amassing seven points from three matches.On the other hand, Bashundhara Kings are in second place in the group, having secured four points from their three matches. A triumph for Mohun Bagan SG in Bangladesh would create a six-point gap between them and the Bashundhara Kings, making this match a pivotal fixture. In their previous encounter in October, Juan Ferrando’s team played out a 2-2 draw against Bashundhara Kings, a match that took place at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar. Mohun Bagan SG took the lead on two occasions during the game, but the Bangladeshi side managed to equalise twice, ultimately securing a point. For the upcoming match, Mohun Bagan SG will be without the injured Anwar Ali.
Additionally, there is uncertainty regarding the participation of Hugo Boumous and Jason Cummings, after their absence from the team’s 3-2 victory against Jamshedpur FC.After securing back-to-back wins at home of AFC Cup and ISL, Odisha FC are gearing up for AFC Cup 2023-24 Matchday 4, where they will face Maziya S&RC on Tuesday, at the Maldives National Football Stadium.The Kalinga Warriors started their AFC season on a shaky note, but they displayed their prowess in a spectacular 6-1 win over Maziya S&RC on matchday 3 in their last home match. Odisha FC delivered a dominant performance, showcasing their strength in set-pieces and cohesive teamwork. Jahouh’s midfield control and key assists were pivotal, while Fall’s brace highlighted their potent attack. Notable goals from Carlos, Amey Ranawade, and Isak Ralte further emphasized their prowess in that match.
On the other hand, Maziya S&RC desperately needs a win after reaching the halfway stage with two defeats and one win. Odisha FC conducted their pre-match press conference on Monday, in the Maldives, with head coach Sergio Lobera and player Isak Vanlalruatfela.Speaking ahead of the match, Odisha FC head coach Sergio Lobera said, “We are excited about this game. We know it will be a difficult game. But in our team, we have good players and we are ready to compete.” On asking about the congestion of fixtures of Odisha FC, Sergio said, “It’s difficult to manage this because it’s a lot of games in a short time. But I have a squad with 27 players. There are no excuses. It’s not possible to come here and to make excuses. We need to adapt as soon as possible in the calendar. We cannot change this and there are no excuses about this. We are ready to compete.”