Mohun Bagan Super Giant, the Indian football powerhouse, participated in the group stages of the AFC Champions League 2, previously known as the AFC Cup, this season. Drawn into Group D alongside Odisha FC (India), Bashundhara Kings (Bangladesh), and Maziya (Maldives), Juan Ferrando’s team started their campaign with a flourish. They secured impressive victories, a 4-1 win against Odisha and a 2-1 triumph over Maziya, setting the stage for a strong showing in the group.
However, their journey took an unfortunate turn in their final group match against Maziya. Despite a valiant effort, Mohun Bagan found themselves on the losing end after a stunning goal from Hassan Raif in the 40th minute put Maziya ahead. Despite Taison Singh’s powerful strike that hit the crossbar and almost brought them back into the game, Mohun Bagan couldn’t find a way to equalize.
Ultimately, Mohun Bagan finished their AFC Cup campaign in third place with seven points, while Maziya edged them out with six points from their six matches. While the Indian heavyweight showcased impressive moments throughout the tournament, including near misses and impressive individual performances, the loss to Maziya proved to be the decisive factor in their campaign. This disappointing outcome highlights the competitive nature of the AFC Champions League 2, a tournament where even the strongest teams face challenges and unexpected results.
