In FC Nasaf, they face a side that has previously won the AFC Cup. FC Nasaf were the runners-up from last season’s Uzbekistan Super League.  The side has maintained a dominant form in the domestic league, which began early in March 2021.

FC NASAF:

FC Nasaf are the potential favourites to win this tie. They have higher experience of excelling in the knockout rounds and have won the competition beforehand.

They are coming onto this match having played 19 games in the Uzbekistan Super League, being placed at the fifth position amongst the 14 teams.

They won the AFC Cup Group Stage fixtures by scoring the highest (12 goals) in the three group games conceding none. As per reports, the side has no injury concerns.

ATK MOHUN BAGAN SQUAD

The big blow for ATK Mohun Bagan is the injury of Hugo Boumous, who is sidelined for the game. Boumous will likely be replaced by Finnish midfielder Joni Kauko, who is set to debut for the Kolkata-based outfit.

Looking at the stakes, it will be imprudent to think that Kauko can fill the shoes of Boumous, who has been an exceptional contributor for this side. The defence should remain unchanged, with Sumit Rathi and Pritam Kotal forming an allegiance with Carl McHugh. Kauko will be accompanied by the likes of Deepak Tangri, Subhasish Bose, and Lenny Rodrigues. Roy Krishna and David Williams will spearhead the attack alongside Manvir Singh and Liston Colaco on the flanks.

When to watch – 20:30 IST on September 22, 2021

Venue – Markaziy Stadium, Uzbekistan

Where to Watch – Star Sports Network and streamed live on Hotstar, Jio TV

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In the afternoon, Roy Krishna and others practiced at the grass field of a local stadium. The Spanish coach insisted on physical training and positional football as there was no provision or opportunity for closed-door practice. He showed no secret weapons which were done in Dubai. The players returned to the hotel after an hour of practice. The Green Maroon brigade will practice in the evening at the main stadium on Tuesday. Habas is happy with the environment and the cold weather. Habas spoke to ATKMB Media after training at the hotel in Qarshi. What he said..

Q: How optimistic are you to defeat FC Nasaf after eight days of practice in Dubai and two days in Uzbekistan?

Habas: No coach in the world can guarantee ‘victory’. Our preparation in Dubai has been quite good. We are optimistic about winning. We also have in our mind that our opponent is a strong team but we have the power to defeat Nasaf.

Q: Where do you think Nasaf is stronger?

Habas: They perform well in competitive tournaments. They are quite strong as a competitor. Like us, they have footballers who can change the colour of the match in no time.

Q: Is wing play a big factor in this match?

Habas: Not just wing play, but many factors are there. We have to try to open the mouth of the goal by creating space for the defense of the opponent. For that, we will do everything that needs to be done.

Q: This match is considered by the Green-Maroon fans as a historic match for Mohun Bagan. What is the message for them?

Habas: We will give our one hundred percent and try to bring promising results.

Q: Has Kauko, Prabir, Soosairaj joined to make the team stronger than the group league? Will the weather in Uzbekistan give Kauko an extra advantage to play?

Habas: Footballers have to be ready to give their best in any environment. Kauko has already adapted himself to the team. He is a great footballer. Prabir and Soosairaj are both very important footballers. They are also ready. I have not yet decided how long I will keep them on the field. The reason being that they have not been in a competitive match for a long time. I have to choose the first XI considering all the aspects.

(Courtesy: ATKMB Media Team)

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ATK Mohun Bagan have it all to play for in their final matchday of the group, against Bangladeshi outfit Bashundhara Kings, a match that kicks off at 4.30 PM IST. They have been perfect so far in their two games, earning six points, with five goals scored, and just a single goal conceded. The Mariners started their AFC Cup campaign against Bengaluru FC with a triumph. They repeated the same against Maziya Sports & Recreation as well, turning up the heat in the second half to defeat the side from the Maldives 3-1.

Going into their match against Bashundhara Kings, anything except a loss will guarantee ATKMB top spot in the group. While ATKMB’s striker Roy Krishna has been on fine form, scoring a goal each in both the matches, the Green and Maroons’ Indian contingent has kept up the pressure on their opposition, with Subhasish Bose, Liston Colaco and Manvir Singh also finding the net once each.

In the other match of the evening, Bengaluru FC will be playing for pride, as they square up against Maziya Sports & Recreation at 9.30 PM IST. The Blues currently stand on the third spot in Group D, with a solitary point to their name, which came from a stalemate against Bashundhara Kings. As only the top team qualifies for the Inter-Zone Playoff Semi-final, the side from the Karnataka capital cannot mathematically topple ATK Mohun Bagan, effectively ruling them out of the knockout stages.

The match between ATK Mohun Bagan and Bashundhara Kings will start at 4.30 pm IST, while Bengaluru FC’s game against Maziya Sports & Recreation kicks-off at 9.30 pm IST. Both the matches will be broadcast live on Star Sports 2, Star Sports 2 HD, Star Sports 3, Star Sports 1 Hindi, Star Sports 1 Hindi HD, Star Sports 1 Bangla and streamed live on Disney + Hotstar VIP and Jio TV.

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The first match of the competition was contrasting for both teams to say the least. For ATK Mohun Bagan, it was the perfect outing. Roy Krishna opened the scoring for them in the tournament as Subhasish Bose provided the assist in the first half. And within the opening minute of the second half, provider turned into goalscorer as Bose put the ball in the back of the net and put the match firmly in ATKMB’s control.

Hugo Boumous also showed his class in midfield for ATKMB, dribbling past players with ease and finding long-range passes to cut open the opposition defence. In the match against Maziya Sports & Recreation, the Green and Maroons will be looking to secure another win and take another step closer to qualifying for the knockout rounds.

Coming to Bengaluru FC, they still have a lot of work to do if they want to qualify for the next round. Bengaluru did create a few chances in their last match, but they would look to finish them against the Bangladeshi outfit.

The attacking burden will mainly fall on the shoulders of Captain Sunil Chhetri, Udanta Singh and Jayesh Rane, while the defence will need to protect Gurpreet Singh Sandhu’s goal a lot more. Bashundhara Kings won their first match of the AFC Cup against Maziya comfortably, and will look to repeat the same feat against the Blues.

An exciting day awaits us on August 21. Bengaluru FC vs Bashundhara Kings will commence at 4.30 pm IST while ATK Mohun Bagan vs Maziya Sports & Recreation Club will start at 9.30 pm IST. Tune in to Star Sports 2, Star Sports 2 HD, Star Sports 3, Star Sports 1 Hindi, Star Sports 1 Hindi HD, Star Sports 1 Bangla, Disney + Hotstar VIP and Jio TV to watch these matches live.

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The first goal came in the 39th minute through Roy Krishna as Hugo Boumous’ corner kick was headed towards goal by Subhasish and Krishna was on hand to flick the ball past the keeper from close range and fire his team into the lead.

Subhasish, who is celebrating his birthday as well today, added his name to the scoresheet in the first minute of the second half as he collected a low cross from the left from David Williams, spun inside the box and fired in a cracking finish into the bottom corner to double the Mariners’ advantage.

In their next fixtures, Bengaluru FC will take on Bangladeshi side Bashundhara Kings and ATK Mohun Bagan will face Maldivian outfit Maziya Sports & Recreation. Both matches will take place on Saturday (August 21, 2021) at the National Football Stadium in Male.

The team finishing on top of the group at the end of three rounds will proceed to the single-leg Inter-Zone Semi-final. A number of Indian players from both Indian clubs are scheduled to join the ongoing national team camp in Kolkata once the AFC Cup action in Group D concludes.

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On the eve of their opening match of Group D, which is the South Asian Group in the AFC Cup, both the coaches took a cautious tone, giving ample respect to their opposition teams.

ATK Mohun Bagan head coach Antonio Lopez Habas said, “Bengaluru have signed a number of new foreign footballers. The coaching staff has also changed. As a result, there has been a difference regarding the strength. The match will be very tough. The biggest thing is that we know each other and have played a lot of matches. If we want to win, we have to fight till the last minute.”

‘‘The results of the past matches will remain history. In reality, every match is a new challenge. It is a new environment, a new field. We have to adapt quickly. The fate of the match will depend a lot on all this. Most of all, it’s an international tournament. Everyone will desperately try to establish themselves,” Habas commented ahead of the match.

Marco Pezzaiuoli expects an ‘aggressive’ game against ATK Mohun Bagan and said, “Our last game was only two days ago, so it was a short recovery for the team. It’s not really an advantage, but I can see the glass either as half empty or half full, and I choose to see it half full. There was a good spirit and positive energy in the team after the win. We are happy to be in the Group Stage of this competition. This is a new game, a new start and we have a renewed focus. We need to be very sharp against ATK Mohun Bagan, because I am expecting an aggressive game’’

“ATK Mohun Bagan like to play a lot of long passes, go for the second ball and press high up on the pitch, which calls for a different approach from us. But they have also changed things in the summer, by bringing in a French foreigner (Hugo Boumous), among other players. This shows that they want to win the Indian Super League and the AFC Cup. We have to be in good spirit, show good focus and I am certain that we have a chance of winning tomorrow,” Pezzaiuoli added.

ATK Mohun Bagan and Bengaluru FC have been clubbed together with Bashundhara Kings (Bangladesh) and Maziya Sports and Recreation Club in Group D. The team that finishes on top of the group will make it to the Inter-Zone Playoff Semifinal against winner of the Central Asian Zone Final.

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Pezzaiuoli handed full debuts to Alan Costa, Sarthak Golui, Jayesh and Rohit Kumar, with two other new signings, Danish Farooq and Bidyashagar Singh, named among the substitutes alongside B-team graduate Sivasakthi Narayanan. His counterpart Mohamed Shaazly was forced into a late change to his starting eleven, with Easa Ismail replacing Ali Ashfaq.

Club Eagles had the ball in the back of the net in the 17^th minute, but Sarthak Golui had stepped up at the right moment to catch Easa offside. The Blues then broke the deadlock in the 25^th minute through debutant Jayesh. Eagles failed to clear Sarthak’s long throw from the left and the ball fell to Jayesh, who placed his shot into the bottom corner through Haisham Hassan’s legs to put BFC 1-0 up.

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu was called into action a minute before half time. From an Eagles corner, the ball took a deflection off Sarthak and was creeping in before the ’keeper reacted sharply to push it away.

Bengaluru controlled possession for a majority of the first period, and saw their lead into the break. Pezzaiuoli made no changes at half time, and it was Eagles who had the first chance of the second period, in the 67th minute, when Ali Fasir turned Sarthak and Alan in the box but scuffed his shot wide with just Gurpreet to beat.

Ashique Kuruniyan picked up a knock and was the first change of the night, replaced by Naorem Roshan Singh. Leon Augustine, on as a substitute, had a chance to double the Blues’ lead with his first touch of the game. Chhetri, who managed to retrieve possession in the box, saw Eagles ’keeper Mohamed Faisal off his line, and squared it to the 22-year-old. Leon’s shot, however, sailed over the bar with just six minutes left on the clock.

Despite a late flurry of attacks from Eagles, the Blues held firm to see out the game and seal their spot in Group D of the 2021 AFC Cup.

The Blues will be back in action on August 18 when they take on ATK Mohun Bagan in their opening group stage clash, at the same venue.

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Apart from emphasizing on the physical fitness of Roy Krishna, Pritam Kotal and Amarinder Singh, the Spanish coach has also practiced positional football, passing and penalty kicking. There have been some new practices every day.

Though late, David Williams has also joined the team. He felt satisfied after testing David’s physical ability on the field.

Habas said “David has practiced well. I told the footballers that we are going to play in an international tournament. You have to work hard, you have to give your best.”

Like the coach, footballers are also mentally prepared. ATKMB and Senior National Team forward Manvir Singh said, “I have scored goals for the country in the international tournaments, but I’ve never played in the AFC Cup. I will play wearing the green-maroon jersey. It is a different feeling. We have to win, though I am not thinking of becoming the champion now. The goal is to reach the next round. ”

New signing, and Blue Tigers goalkeeper Amarinder Singh said, “I have played twice in the AFC Cup in another club’s jersey. We have been runners-up once. This time we are going to Maldives to become the champion. The way we have prepared and as we have a strong team, we have a chance to become champions.”

Defender Pritam Kotal stated, “I have played in the AFC Cup twice. Once we even reached the second round. This time our club is stronger. We have seven footballers from the national team. The best foreigners are in the team. We will play to become the champion. ”

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The board has asked the participating teams to either return home or not to proceed to the Maldives for the matches. The group D also includes Indian Super League side ATK Mohan Bagan, whose games were scheduled from May 14 to 21. The other two teams in Group D are Bashundhara Kings from Bangladesh and Maziya Sports & Recreation of Maldives.

Participating clubs who have travelled to the Maldives will be required to arrange for their return home while adhering to the COVID-19 health and travel protocols put in place by the country. At the same time, the AFC is in contact with all other Participating clubs and officials who have not entered the Maldives to cancel their travel arrangements”, the AFC said in a statement.

At first, the decision was taken by the Football Association of Maldives (FAM) earlier in the day when they requested to cancel the game between India’s Bengaluru FC and Maldives’ Club Eagles. Bengaluru was expected to face Eagles on May 11, after which the group D group stage matches were scheduled from May 14.

Maldives Sports Minister Mr Ahmed Mahloof took his concerns to Twitter and said, “Unacceptable behaviour from @bengalurufc breaching the strict guidelines from HPA & @theafcdotcom. The club should leave (Maldives) immediately as we can’t entertain this act. We honoured the commitment we gave a few months back even with the surge in cases & pressure from the public.”

“It is important that we already have imposed certain restrictions on travellers from India, yet we gave BFC a special permit to arrive in the Maldives for the competition. So, the fact that some Bengaluru FC players still violated guidelines and roamed on the streets surprises me,” Mahloof added.

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The camp is being held as part of India’s preparation for the upcoming AFC U-23 Championship 2020 qualifiers which are slated to be held in Tashkent from March 22, 2019.

38 players have been summoned for the camp with 19 have joined so far. The rest will be dropping in after finishing their respective club commitments, both at the domestic level and also at the AFC Cup.

Not less than 8 players who had represented India in the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017, have also been called up. Overall, 11 players from India Arrows will be in action at the camp.

“It is important to get all the players together,” Coach Pereira maintained. “All the boys are coming back at the end of a long season. Ashique (Kuruniyan), Jerry (Lalrinzuala), Hitesh (Sharma) are ruled out. All of them will be badly missed,” he informed. “We need to check the niggles and fitness levels of all in the camp. We cannot afford to lose anyone anymore.”

Nishu Kumar, Anirudh Thapa, Mohd. Nawaz and Sairuatkima haven’t been able to join this camp owing to their club commitments, while Ashique Kuruniyan, Sahil Panwar and Jerry Lalrinzuala have been ruled out courtesy injuries and Hitesh Sharma is suffering from chicken pox.

The squad will be flying to Doha to play a friendly match against Qatar U-23 National Team before the continental championship qualifiers.

“I am very excited to play Qatar. I feel most of the boys from that team will go on to play in the FIFA World Cup in 2022. It will be a tough test.”

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