Rival Watch: ATK Mohun Bagan take on Bangladesh's Abahani Dhaka

The winner of the game will make it to the group stages of the competition.

ATK Mohun Bagan are now just one step away from booking a place for themselves in the AFC Cup 2022 group stages. They’ll play their final preliminary stage qualifying playoff against Bangladeshi giants Abahani Limited Dhaka at the Salt Lake Stadium on Tuesday.

Frequent participants in Asian competitions over the last decade, Abahani Dhaka are gunning to qualify for the AFC Cup. Boasting some of Bangladesh’s best players and experienced foreigners in their squad, the Sky Blue Brigade will not back down without a fight and look to cause a major upset to derail the Mariners’ continental dreams.

Recent Performances

Abahani Dhaka were scheduled to face Maldives side Club Valencia in their Preliminary Round 2 Qualifier. However, that game was canceled, as the Maldives’ side could not fulfill their commitment of participating in the game.

As a result, the Bangladeshi side have been granted automatic qualification for the final qualifier against ATKMB. The Sky Blue Brigade finished in second place in the 2021/22 Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) – four points behind eventual winners Bashundhara Kings. In their last five games, Abahani Dhaka have won two and drawn three times.

About The Team

Formed in 1972 through the re-organization of Iqbal Sports Club by Sheikh Kamal, the son of former Bangladesh president Sheikh Majibur Rahman, Abahani Dhaka have since shaped themselves as one of the most decorated football clubs in Bangladesh.

They are the most successful team in the history of the Bangladesh Premier League, having won it six times in their history. In 267 BPL games, the Sky Blue Brigade have won 177.

They’ve also won the Bangladesh Federation Cup 12 times – the most by any club in history. Abahani Dhaka have also had some past success while participating in Indian competitions, having won the Bordoloi Trophy in 2010 and the Sait Nagjee Trophy in 1989.

The Coach

Even at the age of 35, Abahani Dhaka manager Mario Lemos has tons of experience at his disposal. The Portuguese had a very short-lived playing career. He played for side FC Ferreiras’ youth teams, before being forced to retire as a teenager due to injury issues.

After taking a few years to gain his coaching badges, Lemos worked as the assistant coach to Slavisa Jokanovic at Thai club Muanthong United in the 2011/12 season. After working as a manager for some school teams in Thailand, he took over as the Bangladesh national team’s fitness coach in 2018.

He too his first big management job at Malaysian side Negeri Sembilan FA in 2018. In late December, he took over as Abahani Dhaka’s manager. He helped them win the Federation Cup once and consistently competing for the Bangladesh Premier League title.

Lemos has encouraged an attacking style and free-flowing, fast-paced football at the club. Abahani scored 21 goals in 11 games in the BPL last season. Their attacking threat should cause some concerns for the Mariners.

Players To Watch

Raphael Augusto

Raphael Augusto has quite a history when it comes to Indian football and the Indian Super League (ISL). The Brazilian midfielder spent four seasons with Chennaiyin FC, helping them win the ISL title in 2015 and 2017-18. He also spent the 2019/20 season with Bengaluru FC before leaving India. In 71 ISL appearances, Augusto scored six goals and registered seven assists for Abahani Dhaka.

He’s still going strong at Abahani Dhaka since joining them in 2020. He has enjoyed a prolific season, scoring four goals in nine appearances. He is a robust creative midfielder who is really smart with his distribution. Augusto can carry the ball forward well and be efficient in the final third. If ATKMB want to control the game, they’ll need to keep him quiet and not allow him any freedom to operate.

Dorielton Gomes

Dorielton Gomes tormented Bangladesh Premier League defenders with his smart work last season. He produced solid numbers, despite not being able to feature in all the games. Dori scored seven goals in eight league games for Abahani Dhaka. He has scored four in three Federation Cup matches as well. The Brazilian forward is an unpredictable threat in the final third. He is able to trouble defenders with his smart movement and link-up play.

More than anything else, Gomes is a really clinical goalscorer who doesn't need too many chances to make an impact. Dori’s excelling finishing skills and goalscoring threat make him one to keep an eye on. ATKMB must stay on their toes all the time to stop him from running riot.

Jewel Rana

Jewel Rana has built his reputation as one of his country’s most exciting players. The hard-working, versatile winger enjoyed a pretty decent campaign in the Bangladesh Premier League with his side. He scored two goals and registering as many assists in 11 appearances.

The 26-year-old can be a real thorn for defenders on the wings, with his quick movement and crossing ability being effective tools for the Sky Blue Brigade. Rana has faced some of ATKMB’s defenders in the past and knows what it is like to play against them. He’ll look to use his pace and accuracy to cause chaos on the wings, provide solid defensive cover and make that right wing his own against the Mariners.

What To Expect

After their 5-0 win over Blue Star SC, ATK Mohun Bagan can’t expect a similar cakewalk against Abahani Dhaka. The Bangladeshi giants have the experience of playing in prominent continental games against Indian oppositions.

While the Sky Blue Brigade should take a more defensive stance against ATKMB – who also have home advantage – they won’t cower or try to steal a win. Mario Lemos’ men are likely to be a formidable threat on the counter-attack and set-pieces.

They’ll aim to make it an end-to-end, action-packed game in which the emphasis will obviously be to defend strongly and keep ATKMB from scoring, but also expose their defensive weaknesses with their quick fast-breaks and create smartly-knitted moves to cause an upset at the Salt Lake Stadium.  

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