Kolkata-based football giants, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, are gearing up for a highly anticipated encounter against Nepal’s formidable Machhindra FC in the AFC Cup 2023 Qualifiers Preliminary Round. The showdown is scheduled to take place on August 16, 2023, at the illustrious Salt Lake Stadium.
Machhindra FC earned their spot in this pivotal match after a thrilling victory over Paro FC in the AFC Cup Qualifiers Round 1 on August 8. In a nail-biting contest, the Prabesh Katuwal-led side clinched a 3-2 win, securing their passage to the next round. Despite falling behind in the early minutes due to a goal by Paro FC star Kuzuo Honma, Machhindra FC exhibited a stellar first-half performance. Bimal Gharti Magar, who had previously donned the Mohun Bagan jersey in 2018, swiftly netted the equalizer in the 12th minute. The team’s spirits remained high as Ayush Ghalan added another goal just three minutes later. Nigerian striker Afeez Oladipo further bolstered their lead with a clinical strike in the 30th minute. Paro FC, however, posed a determined challenge in the second half, with Evans Asate’s strike in the 71st minute keeping the game on a knife’s edge. Nonetheless, Machhindra FC managed to hold their nerve and secure an impressive victory.
With this triumph, Machhindra FC is now set to cross the borders and travel to India to take on Mohun Bagan on August 16, coinciding with the Indian Independence Day celebrations. The clash promises to be a thrilling one-off knockout game, hosted at the iconic Salt Lake Stadium. In the event that the match remains undecided during regular time, fans can anticipate extra-time drama and a potential penalty shootout to determine the victor and advance to the AFC Cup 2023 Playoff Qualifier stages.
Mohun Bagan, currently engaged in the 2023 Durand Cup, has exhibited a strong performance by winning both of their group-stage encounters, virtually securing their progression to the knockout stages. Leading up to the pivotal AFC Cup match, the team is set to engage in this season’s first Kolkata Derby against arch-rivals East Bengal on August 12.
Under the guidance of head coach Juan Ferrando, Mohun Bagan is expected to field a formidable lineup for the upcoming showdown against Machhindra FC. Leveraging the successes of a productive summer transfer window, Ferrando may introduce key players such as Jason Cummings, Sahal Abdul Samad, and Anwar Ali for their AFC Cup debuts, intensifying the competition against the Nepal-based outfit.
Football enthusiasts and supporters alike are eagerly anticipating this clash of titans, as Mohun Bagan and Machhindra FC vie for supremacy and progression in the AFC Cup 2023 Qualifiers Preliminary Round. Stay tuned for the much-anticipated spectacle on August 16, as these two football powerhouses go head-to-head on the grand stage of the Salt Lake Stadium.
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