Mohun Bagan to play Machhindra FC in AFC Cup 2023 Preliminary Stage 2

Machhindra FC defeated Bhutan side Paro FC in the Round 1 clash.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant have finally discovered which team they will be facing in the AFC Cup 2023 Qualifiers Preliminary Round on 16 August 2023. They will be squaring off against Nepal giants Machhindra FC, after they defeated Paro FC in the AFC Cup Qualifiers Round 1 clash on 8 August.

It proved to be a thrilling game between the Asian sides which the Prabesh Katuwal-managed side just managed to pip in the end with a 3-2 win. Machhindra actually went behind in the game when Paro FC star Kuzuo Honma gave them the lead in the 7th minute.

However, the Nepal side rallied back after that to produce a deadly first-half performance. Bimal Gharti Magar, who actually had a short stint at Mohun Bagan back in 2018, scored the equalizer in the 12th minute. After that, Ayush Ghalan gave them the lead three minutes later – much to the delight of their onlookers.

Nigerian forward Afeez Oladipo scored the third goal with a clinical strike in the 30th minute to put them in the driving seat. However, Paro FC refused to back out and lodged a challenging push in the second half. A strike from Evans Asate in the 71th minute resulted in a nervy last 20 minutes or so for Machhindra, but they held their nerves to record an impressive win.

After this result, the Nepali side will be travelling to India to face the Mariners on August 16, a day after the Indian Independence Day. The match will be held at the Salt Lake Stadium and will be a one-off knockout game. If the match is not decided in normal time, then extra-time and potentially a penalty shoot-out will decide who moves into the AFC Cup 2023 Playoff Qualifier stages.

Mohun Bagan are currently participating in the 2023 Durand Cup and have won both of their group games so far, which has more or less ensured their progress to the knockout stages. They will be playing this edition’s first Kolkata Derby against East Bengal on August 12 ahead of their important AFC Cup game.

Juan Ferrando is expected to field his strongest team in the upcoming game against Machhindra FC after benefitting from a prolific summer transfer window. He could hand the likes of Jason Cummings, Sahal Abdul Samad and Anwar Ali their AFC cup debuts for Mohun Bagan against the Nepal side.

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