Mohun Bagan kicks off ACL Two campaign vs FC Ravshan Kulob. Can the Mariners win at home? Match preview, lineups, and key insights.
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| Picture Credit: Book My Show |
Mohun Bagan Super Giant will embark on their 2024-25 AFC Champions League Two (ACL Two) campaign against FC Ravshan Kulob at the famous Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata, on September 18. Having a mixed start to their Indian Super League (ISL) this season, the Mariners are keen to make a statement in the continental championship.
Match Overview:
In this season’s ACL Two Mohun Bagan is only Indian representative which further piles pressure on the club to represent Indian football well at Asian level. With die-hard supporters behind them they’ll be hoping for an emphatic victory that sets them off in style.
FC Ravshan Kulob on its part comes into this encounter as a stalwart from Tajikistan. Although they do not have the best record on the continental scene, Ravshan’s erratic nature and spirited displays back home could turn out to be troublesome for Mariners.
Mohun Bagan have been shaky and inconsistent at the start of their ISL season. However, the ACL Two comes as a new chance to showcase genuineness, which will prove that you can compete on top levels. Manager Jose Molina is well aware of how essential it is to acquire all available points at home if they want to come out alive from such a difficult pool.
Molina’s experience will be crucial in ensuring that his players remain focused and perform at their best. Speaking ahead of the match, he said, “The ACL Two is a big competition. All matches will be very difficult as all teams here are quite good. With our fans helping us, hopefully we can have a good match and get our first three points from the group stage.”
FC Ravshan Kulob finished second last year in their domestic league in Tajikistan and they would like that impetus to extend itself into ACL two. However, their performances so far during the continental tournaments have been unimpressive having won a single game out of 17 contests but are still capable because they possess solid components of experienced Tajik players and also foreign signings as well.
Ravshan is presently positioned fifth on the Tajikistan Higher League ladder after playing 15 times that indicates competitiveness within; however, they need ammunition both psychologically and physically against full-frontal assaults offered by full-house crowds at Salt Lake Stadium where fans will turn against anybody turning up against them all without exception.
Mohun Bagan vs Ravshan Kulob Predicted Starting 11
Mohun Bagan: Vishal Kaith (GK); Tom Aldred, Dippendu Biswas, Subhasish Bose; Asish Rai, Anirudh Thapa, Apuia, Liston Colaco; Greg Stewart; Dimitri Petratos, Jason Cummings
Ravshan Kulob: Yevhen Hrytsenko (GK); Sorbon Giyosov, Kholmurod Nazarov, Siddiq Issah, Saidkhoni Amrokhon; Samuel Ofori, Mukhammadzhon Rakhimov, Kojo Matic; Andriy Markovych, Shodidzhon Murodov, Bakhtiyor Zaripov
Playing match in front of their home fans, Mohun Bagan will want to control ball possession as well as direct how game flows. Their attack that is spearheaded by Petratos and assisted by Liston Colaco and Manvir Singh would want to cause problems in Ravshan’s defense. On the other hand, Ravshan Kulob would try to remain tight while hitting Mohun Bagan via counter-attack.
Though they are considered outsiders, FC Ravshan Kulob have demonstrated that they are tough opposition especially at domestic level. However, Salt Lake Stadium’s electrifying atmosphere might affect visitors in a major way which would be an important advantage for Mariners.
For Mohun Bagan Super Giant, this first match in ACL Two group stage is not just about gaining three points but also about establishing the tone for whole term. A win here may therefore provide them with a great confidence boost needed to sail through the group successfully whereas a loss might jeopardize their goals.
With home advantage coupled with need to justify themselves; expect Mariners to give their best shots from onset and if they hit form, more often than not, it should translate into winning an important game during such tournaments.
