AFC Cup Playoffs: Subhasish Bose, Ashique Kuruniyan confident of defeating Hyderabad FC

Subhasish Bose and Ashique Kuruniyan want to end the season on a high.

ATK Mohun Bagan are ready to play the final game of a lengthy 2022/23 season against Hyderabad FC in a huge playoff clash for the AFC Cup preliminary round qualification. Whichever team is able to win this game will get a shot at qualifying for the 2023/24 AFC Cup.

The Mariners progressed for this game after winning the 2022/23 Indian Super League (ISL) playoffs. Hyderabad, meanwhile, won the 2021/22 playoffs – helping them qualify for this one. Playing in the AFC Cup is a major expectation from the ATKMB owners, especially after they did well in the competition last season.

The entire squad is pumped up for this game and want to head into their off-season holidays having secured a place in the AFC Cup Preliminary Round. ATK Mohun Bagan defender Subhasish Bose opened up about the importance of this game and how his side plans to bounce back after the disappointing Hero Super Cup outing.

What Subhashish Bose said about Hyderabad FC Clash

He said: “Our club always prioritizes participation in the AFC Cup. Everyone in the squad knows that. Last season we progressed quite a lot and we know if we can move onto the preliminary stages or group stages of the AFC Cup, we’ll get to play with a number of quality foreign sides. We want that to happen.

“The motivation to play in the AFC Cup and our mindset for the Hero Super Cup were totally different. I don’t think our disappointments in the Hero Super Cup will affect our performance for this playoff. The only talk around the dressing room going on right now is to win this match before we go on holidays. We can’t let this final game let us down,” he also added.

The left-back also had kind words for Hyderabad, but believes his side has enough strength to oust them in this key clash. Bose explained: “Hyderabad FC are a very strong side. However, I personally believe that if we don’t give them too much freedom in the game then they won’t be able to win it. We need to play our own team game, doing which we can win it. Considering the strength of our squad, there is no reason why we can’t win this one. We’ve prepared for anything that needs to be done to win this game. We have a fully fit squad, which is a major positive for us too!”

Ashique Kuruniyan wants big win in home city

Along with the defender, ATKMB winger Ashique Kuruniyan is also excited for this game. He wants to use the ‘home advantage’ of playing in the city he was brought up as a kid to end his debut season with the Mariners strongly, and qualify for the AFC Cup Prelims.

He said: “Kozhikode is my own city, where I’ve been brought up. I had big hopes to have played the Hero Super Cup final here, but I really broke down after that dream was crushed. But these things happen in football and we can’t let another big opportunity get past our hands.

“I want to end the season by helping my team defeat Hyderabad FC in my own ground. We’ll be able to play with the best clubs in Asia if we’re able to win this game. That is a big objective for ambitious footballers like me. We don’t want to be restricted to being just the national champions. Everyone is pumped up to win this game. I’m ready to give my 100% in this game and who wouldn’t want to give their all in their home ground?” he finished off with.

ATK Mohun Bagan will meet Hyderabad FC at the EMS Corporation Stadium, Kozhikode on 3rd May for their AFC Cup Preliminary Round playoff clash.