Mohun Bagan look to kick off AFC Champions League Two with win over Ahal FK

Mohun Bagan are aiming for a win at home.

The AFC Champions League Two group stages campaign kicks off for Mohun Bagan when they face Ahal FK in their opening game at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata, on Tuesday (16 September 2025).

The Mariners will be eager to kick off their campaign on a positive note, but need to produce an efficient performance to outwit the Turkmenistan giants in this highly anticipated clash.

The Stakes

Mohun Bagan

After the bitter way their 2024-25 AFC Champions League Two campaign went like, Mohun Bagan will be determined to succeed this time around. However, they realize the sheer importance of winning the home games in order to raise their chances of making it into the knockout rounds of the tournament. Jose Molina will need his side to showcase positive energy in not only being defensively strongly, but also produce some exciting attacking football.

He’ll need his players to be at their decisive best in terms of finishing off chances clinically and be innovative in the final third to trouble the opponents. A win for Mohun Bagan will be a huge momentum booster and a perfect way to kick off their campaign, but a loss could be an unnecessary early setback in the group stages.

Ahal FK

Ahal FK have been competing at a high level in the Turkmenistan football scene over the last decade and have gained a lot of experience in Asian football as well. They might be slight underdogs in the group, but will look to prove themselves as the surprise package by kicking things off in spectacular fashion. Ahal FK will, of course, need to maintain a sturdy defensive shape to help them succeed in these tricky away games.

Eziz Annamuhammedov will be pushing his side to be brave on the counter-attacks and effectively in taking up their chances to raise their chances of getting three points. An away win for Ahal FK will be huge too bolster their hopes of making it past the group stages, but a bitter loss in the first AFC Champions League Two game can be a really gutting one.

Team News

Mohun Bagan are going to be missing Manvir Singh as he deals with an injury, while Subhasish Bose is deemed fit enough for this game.

Ahal FK are likely to bring a healthy squad to Kolkata for their AFC Champions League Two opener against the Mariners.

Head-to-Head

This will be the first time that these two sides meet each other in a competitive match in their history.

Predicted Lineups

Mohun Bagan (4-2-3-1)

Vishal Kaith (GK), Asish Rai, Tom Aldred, Alberto Rodriguez, Subhasish Bose, Lalengmawia Ralte, Sahal Abdul Samad, Liston Colaco, Jason Cummings, Robson Robinho, Jamie Maclarne

Ahal FK (3-4-3)

Kakageldi Berdiyev (GK), Azat Rahamanow, Oraz Orazov, Bagtyyar Gurgenov, Nazar Towakelow, Gurban Annayev, Hakumhammet Bashimov, Alibek Abdurakhmanov, Magtyberdi Berenov, Elman Tagayev, Suleyman Mirzoyev

Players to Watch

Robson Robinho (Mohun Bagan)

After being roped in as their marquee signing for the 2025 summer window, Robson Robinho is likely to make his much-awaited debut for Mohun Bagan in the AFC Champions League Two opener. The Brazilian forward has been signed to add more spice and electricity to the Mohun Bagan frontline and will look to make a major impact in front of the fans in the upcoming.

Robinho will be looking to add more urgency to the Mohun Bagan attack by driving them forward with his blistering runs and look to add a sense of unpredictability to their attack. He will look to get into the empty areas in the final third and make clever final passes to open up chances for teammates and also get at the end of chances to bolster his side’s goal-scoring threat.

Elman Tagayev (Ahal FK)

Elman Tagayev is determined to make use of his experience and form to be an inspired figure for Ahal FK in the AFC Champions League Two campaign. The 36-year-old winger will be looking to cause trouble for the Mohun Bagan defenders with his intricate movement in the final third and delivery.

He will look to be a threat on the counterattacks and use his clever creativity to set up chances for his teammates. However, Tagayev – who scored 15 goals for his side in the league last season – will also look to make smart runs into the final third and finish off chances clinically to stun the Mariners and get an important result for Ahal FK.

Did you know?

• Mohun Bagan will play a Turkmenistan club for the first time in the form of Ahal FK.
• Ahal FK reached the West Asia Zone finals in the 2021 AFC Cup, losing out to FC Nasaf.
• Mohun Bagan have played 48 matches in the AFC Champions League Two (formerly AFC Cup) in their history, winning 21 of them.

Telecast Details

The AFC Champions League Two match between Mohun Bagan and Ahal FK will take place at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata on Tuesday (16 September, 2025). The match will kick off at 7:15 PM IST. It will be streamed live on the FanCode app.

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