Three Mohun Bagan players to watch out for in AFC Champions League Two Group Stages

Mohun Bagan will face Ahal FK on September 16.

Mohun Bagan are ready to kick off their 2025-26 AFC Champions League Two group stages campaign when they host Ahal FK in their opening game of the competition.

The Mariners are eager to impress in the continental tournament this season and have conjured up a pretty competitive squad to help them punch above their weight in the ACL Two.

Fortunately for Jose Molina, he has a number of quality talents to work with in the Mohun Bagan squad. However, there are a few particular individuals whom he’ll be particularly reliant on to get the job done in the AFC Champions League two group stages.

These players will need to perform at a very high level for the Mariners to take the fight to their opponents and clinch some important win in the group stages. Here, we look at the three Mohun Bagan players to watch out for in the group stages of the ACL Two.

3. Manvir Singh

Manvir Singh can be a secret weapon for Jose Molina in the AFC Champions League two because of his versatility and adaptability to difficult games. The 29-year-old has already played in 16 continental matches for the Mariners, in which he’s managed three goals and five assists.

Singh has the tendency to thrive under the pressure of the AFC matches and does not get intimidated by the prospect of playing against foreign teams. Singh is likely to take up the right wing role for the majority of the AFC Champions League Two games for Mohun Bagan, but he’ll need to be at his sharpest and most prolific to really stand out.

Singh’s defensive prowess means that he will help add an extra protective defensive layer for the Mariners to help them sustain pressure better. However, Manvir’s sprinting ability and agility on the counter-attacks can be a major plus point for the Mariners as it can help them create more chances on the transitions. Singh will need to be accurate with his final product, including his finishing, but his energetic presence can spark more gritty performances from his teammates.

2. Jamie Maclaren

Jamie Maclaren was brought on board at Mohun Bagan for excelling in major tournaments like the AFC Champions League Two. The Australian forward had a successful debut campaign with the Mariners in the 2024-25 campaign, helping them win the Indian Super League (ISL) double.

He was able to score 11 goals in the ISL last season, managing to get a crucial goal in some major games to help the Mariners outwit their opponents. Maclaren was unable to play in the AFC competition last year, but will be raring to make an impact in the 2025-26 edition.

Maclaren has played in the AFC Champions League in the past, having scored six goals in 17 continental matches for Brisbane Roar and Melbourne City FC. He will look to bring that sort of form to the AFC Champions League Two and lead the line for them with an iron fist.

The Australian forward will need to be extremely smart with his final third movement and link-up play to help drive his players into the final third. He will, however, be tasked to finish off chances ruthlessly, and if he is able to tap into his ruthlessness, Maclaren’s goals can take the Mariners well beyond the group stages.

1. Robson Robinho

Robson Robinho has been Mohun Bagan’s marquee signing of the 2025 summer window, with the Mariners adding more firepower to their attack with the arrival of the Brazilian forward. To his credit, Robinho has proven his ability to play in multiple roles in the past, especially thriving in the left-wing and attacking midfield positions.

He arrives at Mohun Bagan with a lot of experience behind him, having played in AFC competitions for the Bashundhara Kings as well. Robson played in 11 AFC Cup matches for the Bangladeshi heavyweights, in which he scored four goals and provided four assists!

Mohun Bagan are hopeful that the 30-year-old is able to replicate those kinds of numbers for them to boost their chances of entertaining in the AFC Champions League Two. Robinho will be looking to use his excellent dribbling ability to torment defenders and add that special spark to their frontline.

He will need to be a driving force for them, moving them forward and also glossing up their final third product. Robinho has a lot of quality in him, but he will need to be clinical and decisive with his final third passes and shooting to enhance Mohun Bagan’s goal-scoring threat and guide them to important wins in the Asian competition.

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