AFC Champions League Two 2024-25: Mohun Bagan held by Ravshan Kulob in goalless draw

The Mariners failed to breach the visitors defence after 90 minutes of end-to-end action.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant of India and Tajikistan’s FC Ravshan Kulob settled for a share of the spoils following a goalless draw in their AFC Champions League Two 2024-25 Group A tie on Wednesday. Little separated the two sides at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium and both teams will look to improve when they return to action in two weeks’ time with Mohun Bagan taking on Islamic Republic of Iran’s Tractor FC while Ravshan Kulob host Al Wakrah FC of Qatar.

After a lacklustre start to the game, Ravshan started to take control with Kholmuod Nazarov’s free-kick in the 26th minute clearing the Mohun Bagan wall only to hit the side netting. A minute later, the Tajikistan Higher League 2023 runners-up nearly broke the deadlock when Muhammadjon Rahimov was put through, with his left foot shot forcing Vishal Kaith to make a low save down his left.

The home side found it difficult to breach a resolute Ravshan with Jason Cummings and Dimitrios Petratos well marshalled by the visitor’s defence led by Samuel Ofori. Despite being under par in the first half, Mohun Bagan’s Jose Molina resisted making changes while his counterpart Masoud Nazarzadeh opted for two switches by sending on Kristian Mocic and Jamshed Maksumov.

A gritty battle with Ravshan Kulob sees the Mariners earn a point in their first AFC Champions League 2 game of the season⛔ #IndianFootball #asianfootball #ACL2 #mohunbagan pic.twitter.com/86OBC1YwGn

— Khel Now (@KhelNow) September 18, 2024

However, after not being able to trouble Yevhen Hrytsenko in Ravshan’s goal in the opening 18 minutes of the second half, Molina thrust Liston Colaco and Lalengmawia Ralte into action off the bench. There was a golden opportunity for Mohun Bagan to snatch a win late on after Cummings was sent through on goal but the Australian forward’s attempt to chip was a poor one, lacking the necessary height to beat Hrytsenko as Ravshan were left off the hook.

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