Mohun Bagan vs Dhaka Abahani AFC Playoff: Mariners comeback to win by 3-1 to qualify for AFC Cup Group Stage

Mohun Bagan Super Giant defeated Dhaka Abahani by 3-1 in Kolkata to qualify for the AFC Cup 2023 Group Stage. Dhaka Abahani were the first team to score at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati but Mohun Bagan comeback with a solid response via a Jason Cummings penalty, an own goal from Milad and Sadiku's debut goal for the Mariners. Read the full match report of the Mohun Bagan vs Dhaka Abahani AFC Playoff match as we analyse every moment from Yuba Bharati Stadium.

First half | Mohun Bagan vs Dhaka Abahani AFC Cup playoff

Mohun Bagan Super Giant started the match on a flying note with Jason Cummings missing an early chance inside the first two minutes of the game. Liston provided a great ball from the left wing towards the Aussie forward who did not do justice to the cross. But, Dhaka Abahani was not ready to give away easy space to Mohun Bagan with Emeka doing all the hard work from the left wing to provide an early chance for the visitors. In the 8th minute of the game, Sahal missed Mohun Bagan's second chance. Jason Cummings' undercut had found Sahal inside the box who could not finish the job for the mariners.

However, against the run of play, it was Dhaka Abahani who drew the first blood in the match. In the 17th minute, Vishal Kaith made a huge miss and Cornelius Ezekiel was there to tap in for the first goal of the match. A rare miss from the green and marron no.1 and Dhaka Abahani made full use of it.

Despite concerning an early goal, Mohun Bagan looked positive and looked for a goal with Humo Boumous, Sahal Abdul Samad and Liston Colaco changing their positions to look more threatening. Asish Rai from the right tried his best in the 22nd minute to create something for the home team, but his cross could not find Sahal who was waiting on the right for a tap-in.

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In the 32nd minute, it was Sahal again with the chance from Mohun Bagan. But, Dhaka Abahani captain Sahidul Alam made a slide to save the ball from going in. After a heap of attacks, Mohun Bagan finally found their chance via a penalty in the 36th minute. Sushanto Tripura fouled Liston Colaco inside the box to earn the penalty. Jason Cummings found the net from the spot with a spectacular penalty to hit the left corner of the net.

Before the first-half whistle, Jason had the chance of scoring his brace. However, he could not connect the volley from Subhasish Bose's cross from the left. In the added minute, Dhaka Abahani had the chance to lead with David Ifegwu's header rolling in and hitting the post after getting a deflection for Vishal Kaith.

Second Half | Mohun Bagan vs Dhaka Abahani AFC Cup Playoff

The second half started with both teams playing it safe in the midfield until Mohun Bagan got the lead via a same-side goal from Milad Soleimani. In the 58th minute, Hugo Boumous received a great ball from Jason Cummings on the left whose cross was deflected in by Milad. Two minutes later, Jason Cummings looked for his second goal via a great left-footed shot from outside the box. But, Shaidul came in between him and the goal to deny the goal.

But, Armando Sadiku made sure his debut goal for Mariners give an important lead to Mohun Bagan. In the 61st minute, Sadiku found the net via a tap-in after receiving a delicious pass from Jason Cummings from the left.

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As the game progressed, a confident Juan Fernando made full use of his resources to replace Sadiku with Manvir Singh. Then a double change provided a fresh leg to the Mohun Bagan playing eleven. Ashique Kuruniyan and Glan Martins replaced Liston Colaco and Sahal Abdul Samad.

Mohun Bagan kept on attacking to not give Dhaka Abahani even a chance to come back in the match. Subhasish Bose, Anirudh Thapa and Hector Yuste made sure Dhaka Abahami do not get any chance to score while Ashique Kuruniyan made sure he create some chances from the left. In the 84th of the match, Ashique Kuruniyan had a chance to score from the left but he only could shoot it over the bar.

With this win, Mohun Bagan Super Giant qualified for the South Zone of the AFC Cup Group stage where they will meet Odhisa FC, Maziya FC and Basundhara Kings.