ATK Mohun Bagan won their playoff game against Abahani Dhaka 3-1 to qualify for the main round of the AFC Cup. David Williams scored his first hat-trick of the season to take the Mariners into the competition.
A home crowd of 32,000 cheered on at Salt Lake Stadium as the ISL side defeated Dhaka to proceed to the league tournament.
ATK Mohun Bagan qualify for AFC Cup
ATK Mohun Bagan were on the offensive right from the beginning of the game. In contrast, the six-time Bangladesh Premier League champions struggled to cope with the fluent start for Bagan.
David Williams scored the first goal of the night in remarkable fashion after meeting a cross from Joni Kauko in mid-air. The striker finished a cross from Prabir Das shortly after to double the lead for the home side and spell more trouble for the visitors. They could’ve had more goals by half time, but were unable to convert their chances as they came.
Colindres managed to pull one back for his side shortly after the hour mark. But, Williams scored his third of the night with five minutes left on the clock to end all hopes for the Bangladeshi club.
ATK Mohun Bagan will join Gokulam Kerala, Bashundhara Kings, Maziya Sports and Recreation in Group D of the AFC Cup. They will take on fellow Indian side Gokulam Kerala in their first game of the competition on May 18.
