Preview: Gokulam Kerala, ATK Mohun Bagan clash in AFC Cup opener

The Mariners will be cautious against the high-flying Malabarians who are fresh off their I-League success.

It has been just three days since Gokulam Kerala became the first club in history to defend their I-League title. Facing the mammoth task of defeating Mohammedan SC in their own den, goals from Rishad and Emil Benny ensured they finished the season at the top of the table. With the wind in their sails, the Kerala-based club will take on ATK Mohun Bagan in their AFC Cup opener.

The Mariners trounced Sri Lankan Champions Blue Star and Bangladeshi outfit Abahani Dhaka in the playoff rounds in April to qualify for the group stage. Since then, they have played two practice games - one against Bengal and another against the Indian National Team. ATKMB's continental priorities are evident, and they will look to kick things off in style in front of their fans.

ATK Mohun Bagan may look much stronger on paper, but Gokulam Kerala are fresh off a league victory and will make things very difficult for the hosts. Two giants of Indian Football clash at the Salt Lake Stadium on Wednesday as the 2022 AFC Cup kicks off.

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ATK Mohun Bagan vs Gokulam Kerala: The Stakes

With the ghosts of the 6-0 drubbing to Nasaf FC still lingering, the stakes couldn't have been higher for Bagan. Their failure to land domestic silverware for the second year running added insult to the injury. Given the money splashed to build the squad, the club owners and fans alike are desperate to taste success.

Gokulam Kerala, on the other hand, have a statement to make. The Malabarians have been the dominant force in the I-League for the past two seasons. They have been playing regular football since March, which gives them an advantage over ATKMB, who have been out of competitive action for a month.

With fans placing their bets on ATKMB or Bashundhara Kings to top the group, expect GKFC to spoil their party. The continental tournament gives them the platform to prove that they can compete with the very best from not just India, but from across South Asia.

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Team News

Sandesh Jhingan is out of the clash after suffering an injury in a practice game. The rest of the team is fit and will be available for selection.

Gokulam's Italian Head Coach Vincenzo Alberto Annese has a fully fit squad to pick his XI from. Captain Sharif Mukhammad was suspended for the I-League game against Mohammedan SC, but should lead his side to the game on Wednesday.

ATK Mohun Bagan vs Gokulam Kerala: Head-to-Head

This will be their first-ever meeting and both clubs will be desperate to start on a winning note. Prior to the ATKMB merger, Gokulam Kerala and Mohun Bagan faced each other six times, in the I-League and the Durand Cup. Four games ended in stalemate while the two sides won one match apiece.

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ATK Mohun Bagan vs Gokulam Kerala: Probable Line-ups

ATK Mohun Bagan: Amrinder Singh (GK); Subhasish Bose, Tiri, Pritam Kotal (C), Prabir Das; Joni Kauko, Deepak Tangri, Hugo Boumous; Liston Colaco, Roy Krishna, Manvir Singh.

Gokulam Kerala FC: Rakshit Dagar (GK); Muhammed Uvais, Aminou Bouba, Alex Saji, Mohammed Jassim; Sharif Mukhammad (C), Emil Benny, Rishad; Thahir Zaman, Jourdain Fletcher, Luka Majcen.

ATK Mohun Bagan vs Gokulam Kerala: Players to Watch

Roy Krishna (ATK Mohun Bagan)

Roy Krishna is the most potent weapon in Juan Ferrando's attacking arsenal. He has been one of the most lethal foreign strikers to play in India in recent times. In the previous AFC Cup campaign, the Fijian scored two goals and will look to improve the numbers this season. With David Williams providing the goods for the Mariners in the playoff stages, Krishna will look to get his share of goals in the group stage.

A midfield featuring both Kauko and Boumous will create an abundance of chances and Krishna will not need an invitation to convert them. Roy's awareness, speed, and muscular presence make it very hard to mark him. His sheer presence on the pitch has steered ATKMB to many famous victories in the past.

With the 34-year-old's future at the club in a cloud of uncertainty, he will look to end his stay on a sumptuous note.

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Aminou Bouba (Gokulam Kerala)

The former Cameroonian International has been a rock for Gokulam in defense. The 31-year-old has every defensive attribute in his game and helped the Malabarians concede the lowest number of goals in the league (15). Gokulam Kerala also kept seven clean sheets in 18 games.

Along with his surgical tackling, Aminou Bouba is also a massive threat from set-pieces. He was adjudged the best defender of the I-League, producing a MOTM performance in the final game. Come Wednesday, the weapons-grade centre-half will face a tall task in stopping the likes of Colaco and Krishna.

With a lot of responsibility resting on his shoulders, Gokulam Kerala will need Bouba to be on top of his game against ATK Mohun Bagan.

Did You Know?

• Gokulam Kerala won their maiden trophy by defeating Mohun Bagan 2-1 in the 2019 Durand Cup Final.
• ATK Mohun Bagan is the only team in the group to not have won its domestic league (ISL).
• Maziya S&RC, Bashundhara Kings, and Gokulam Kerala have all won consecutive league titles in the last two seasons.

Telecast

The match will be played at the Salt Lake Stadium on 18th May 2022. It will be telecasted live by the Star Sports Network and streamed on Hotstar and JioTV. The kick-off is at 4:30 pm.

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