Preview: ATK Mohun Bagan, Kuala Lumpur City FC lock horns in AFC Cup Inter-Zonal playoff

The Malaysian side defeated PSM Makassar to make it to the fixture.

ATK Mohun Bagan are back in action in the AFC Cup where they will face Malaysian side Kuala Lumpur City FC. The match, set to take place at the Salt Lake Stadium, will be for a place in the Inter-Zonal playoff final.

The Mariners are still in pre-season mode and haven’t had the best of form in the Durand Cup. With Juan Ferrando craving for success at the continental stage, they’ll have to take their performance level up a few notches.

Kuala Lumpur City have already popped up with some surprises this edition and can pull off the same if given a chance. This should be a closely-fought, intense game in which the more productive side will reign supreme.

The Stakes

ATK Mohun Bagan

After consolidating themselves as one of the top teams in the Indian Super League (ISL), ATKMB are hoping to build a similar reputation across Asia. They’ve come up short in the last few seasons at the continental stage. However, they’re determined to prove that they can move past that Inter-Zonal playoff barrier.

To do that, they’ll have to win the semi-final first. It won’t be the easiest, because Kuala Lumpur City have been performing decently in their domestic setup and are on a game-winning spree.

That being said, the Mariners still boast a really strong squad with experienced, quality foreigners. They are more expensive and better built than the City Boys. The pressure will be high, as a loss can cause a lot of humiliation. The Kolkata side must show grit and character to plough through the challenge and get a big win.

Kuala Lumpur City FC

Kuala Lumpur City FC have exceeded a lot of expectations in reaching the AFC Cup Inter-Zonal semi-finals. They booked a place in the game by defeating Uzbek side PSM Makassar.

The Malaysian side are well aware that they aren’t the favourites to win this and will start as underdogs - a challenge they have accepted pretty well in this campaign. Kuala Lumpur City are probably under less pressure than ATKMB because they have no home advantage like the Mariners.

But the City Boys boast a pretty strong side with some quality foreigners like Paulo Josue and Giancarlo Gallifuoco, who can help push them through the game. The chance to represent their country in the AFC Cup Inter-Zonal playoff make it an important one for Kuala Lumpur, one they’ll look to grind out with win.

Team News

The Mariners are heading into the game with a fully fit squad. That means they have all their foreigners to choose from, which is bound to create a few selection headaches for Ferrando.

The visitors had a few injury problems before the game, with 3-4 players lacking fitness. But it's been confirmed that they have recovered and should be available to feature, if necessary.

Head-to-head

This will be the first encounter between ATK Mohun Bagan and Kuala Lumpur City!

Probable line-ups

ATK Mohun Bagan: Vishal Kaith (GK), Asish Rai, Pritam Kotal, Florentin Pogba, Subhasish Bose, Deepak Tangri, Joni Kauko, Manvir Singh, Hugo Boumous, Liston Colaco, Dimitri Petratos

Kuala Lumpur City FC: Azir Ghani (GK), Kamal Azizi, Giancarlo Gallifuoco, Irfan Zakaria, Dan Lambert, Zhafri Yahya, Akram Mahinan, Ryan Lambert, Paulo Josue, Romel Morales, Jordan Mintah

Man to Watch

Liston Colaco (ATK Mohun Bagan)

The jewel of ATK Mohun Bagan’s success last season, Liston Colaco took things to another level for the Mariners. Not only did he excel in the ISL, but the winger was also one of ATKMB’s best players in the AFC Cup group stages. In three appearances, he scored four goals and registered two assists – leading from the front. Colaco aims to continue that good form in this AFC encounter as well.

His menacing movement, creativity and clinical nature to score goals make him a real asset for the Mariners. If Liston can be a bit more assertive with his work in the final third, he can help take the game away from the visitors.

Paulo Josue (Kuala Lumpur City FC)

Just like Liston for ATKMB, the City Boys’ captain Paulo Josue has been in great form of late. He’s scored four goals in as many games in the competition so far and is an important cog who needs to perform to keep their sharpness intact. The Brazilian midfielder can help create special chances out of nothing and is a prolific set-piece taker as well.

He is also efficient with his goal-scoring ability and doesn’t need many chances to score. The Mariners will need to be on guard with this unpredictable threat and try to mark him out of the game. If they fail to do that, Josue can thrive under freedom and create problems for ATKMB.

Did you know?

• This is Kuala Lumpur City’s first-ever participation in the AFC Cup
• Asish Rai is poised to make his AFC Cup debut against the Malaysian side
• Dimitri Petratos has the experience of playing in an AFC competition, having won the AFC U-18 Youth Championship with Australia in 2010

Telecast

The match will be telecasted on the Star Sports Network. It will also be streamed on Disney+Hotstar and JioTV.