Mohun Bagan SG have advanced to the group stage of the AFC Cup by defeating Bangladeshi side Abahani Dhaka 3-1. The ISL winners had to fight back from a 1-0 deficit to win the match.
A goal from Cornelius Ezekiel in the 17th minute gave Dhaka the lead in the first half. Vishal Kaith did not deal with the situation adequately and was at fault for the goal.
But, things were very different after the break. Jason Cummings equalised for the Mariners from the spot 20 minutes after Dhaka’s opener to put them back on level terms, after Liston Colaco was fouled in the box.
Mohun Bagan SG through to AFC Cup 23/24 Group Stage
The Mariners found the back of the net twice in the space of two minutes near the house mark to make it 3-1. Milad first scored an own goal to give Mohun Bagan SG a 2-1 advantage before Sadiku sealed the win for his team with a goal at the 60-minute mark.
Mohun Bagan SG had several chances to extend their lead in the second half on the back of an impressive performance. But while they were unable to add to their lead, they got the job done and have now secured qualification into the group stage of the Asian football.
They have a difficult task in the Durand Cup given East Bengal have finished at the top of Group A with seven points. They will face Mumbai City FC in the quarter finals of the competition, in a mammoth clash.
