Mohun Bagan Super Giant, the oldest surviving club in Asia, is set to embark on its international campaign in the AFC Champions League Two (ACL Two) on Wednesday. The Kolkata-based club will host FC Ravshan Kulob of Tajikistan in the opening Group A league match at the Salt Lake Stadium.
As the Indian Super League shield champion, Mohun Bagan has earned its spot in ACL Two and is determined to make a positive start. The team’s legacy and the opportunity to represent India on the international stage will serve as motivation against FC Ravshan Kulob, a team they will face for the first time.
The group league stage will be played on a home-and-away basis, with the top two teams advancing to the knock-outs (round of 16). Mohun Bagan’s start to the season has been mixed, reaching the Durand Cup final but losing on penalties to NorthEast United FC. In the ISL, they drew 2-2 with Mumbai City FC, raising questions about their defensive quality.
Head coach Jose Molina acknowledged the challenges ahead, stating, “The ACL Two is a big competition. All matches will be very difficult as all teams here are quite good. But tomorrow with our fans helping us, hopefully we can have a good match and get our first three points from the group stage.”
The competition rules allow an unlimited number of foreigners in a side, but Molina may face a slight disadvantage as two of his six imports, Australian forward Jamie Maclaren and Spanish defender Alberto Rodriguez, are nursing injuries. This could mean more responsibility for the Indian contingent, which Molina hopes will perform to its potential.
