AFC Cup Playoffs: Hyderabad FC vs ATK Mohun Bagan Live Updates

6:45 PM IST: Hello everyone and welcome to Khel Now’s LIVE COVERAGE of the Hyderabad FC vs ATK Mohun Bagan match in the AFC Cup Playoffs. The kick-off is at 7:00 PM IST! I’m your host Aishwarya Chakraborty, and I’ll be keeping you company through what promises a fascinating evening of football. Please wait for 30 Seconds for the Live blog to load.

AFC Cup Playoffs: Hyderabad FC vs ATK Mohun Bagan - Build-up

ATK Mohun Bagan are all set to face Hyderabad FC in a crucial playoff clash to qualify for the 2023-24 AFC Cup Preliminary Round. The two sides are respective winners of the previous two Indian Super League (ISL) playoffs and will get a chance to book a place in the continental competition on Wednesday.

The Mariners head into the competition after having won the ISL title last month. Hyderabad are a club in transition, with manager Manolo Marquez nearing the exit door. But in a one-off fixture like this, anything can happen. In a repeat of the semi-finals of last season’s ISL playoffs, won by ATKMB, this one should be a closely fought, interesting encounter.

Hyderabad FC are still a club in its youth, having only been rebranded from FC Pune City a few years ago. The Nawabs have been one of the most consistent ISL teams over the last two seasons, having finished strongly both in the league and playoffs stages.

They’ve built a strong squad with a lot of character and mentality. While Hyderabad ended the domestic season in shaky fashion, the quality of their squad means they can bounce back any time.

Hyderabad FC are yet to get the taste of continental football and are desperate to paly at the highest level. That is why it is crucial for them to put their entire energy into winning this, to keep the dream alive. Knowing their current transitional period, Hyderabad will know that if they can’t qualify for the AFC Cup this year – it might take a few years before they can compete for a place in an AFC competition.

The owners of ATK Mohun Bagan have been adamant at wanting to see them play regularly in continental competitions. The Mariners have the perfect chance to make that wish come true this year, but need to get past Hyderabad FC at the first hurdle.

Fortunately for them, ATKMB have gotten the better of the Nawabs in recent fixtures and appear to have found a formula to grind out wins against them. They’re heading into this game with confidence on their side, despite the underwhelming Super Cup campaign.

Considering the expectations on them and the quality of this ATK Mohun Bagan side, not being able to qualify for at least the AFC Cup preliminary round will be gutting. A lot is riding on this one-off playoff game, which they need to win to ensure that their hard work in the previous ISL season pays off.

Head-to-Head

ATK Mohun Bagan and Hyderabad FC have faced each other 10 times in ISL. Out of this, the Mariners have won on four occasions and hold the advantage.

Played: 10

ATK Mohun Bagan: 4

Hyderabad: 2

Draw: 4