ATK Mohun Bagan vs Bashundhara Kings: Preview and Prediction
ATK Mohun Bagan will be hosting the Bashundhara Kings side from the land of Bangladesh at their fortress, Salt Lake Stadium in the 2022 AFC Cup competition. The second matchday of Group D will witness one of India’s most prestigious clubs taking the field against the reigning Bangladesh Premier League champions on Saturday.
It’s an exciting encounter between two clubs hailing from the Bangla speaking regions as the sport is kept as heritage by them throughout the years of transition. After bowing out of the previous edition from the Interzone playoff semifinals, the Kolkata-based club is back with their second appearance in this continental competition.
The Mariners lost their opening fixture of the campaign against Gokulam Kerala although the Group D winners of the 2021 AFC Cup are gathering the strength to regroup and march again. The recent loss against Indian counterpart Gokulam Kerala was Spaniard Juan Ferrando’s only third defeat since his arrival at Kolkata camp back in December 2021.
The 41-year-old gaffer is acquainted with the Asian level after having represented Goa in their historic 2021 AFC Champions League campaign. During the preparations for the competition, Ferrando seemed confident and determined about his vision with the Green and Maroons.
Current Form
ATK Mohun Bagan found themselves on the losing side of the goal-scoring fest with Gokulam Kerala FC in the opening fixture. They lost the encounter by 2-4 despite controlling the gameplay for the majority of the time and especially the first-half action. Pritam Kotal’s 50th-minute equaliser goal was dethroned by the GKFC attack while a marvellous freekick conversion from Liston Colaco also tried to bring them back in the game but his efforts went in vain.
Joyful scenes from the Bashundhara Kings’ previous AFC Cup clash
On the other hand, Bashundhara Kings kick-started their third consecutive AFC Cup campaign with a thumping victory over Maziya. The Dhaka Tigers registered a 1-0 win over the Maldivian club with the help of Gambian striker Nuha Marong’s 33rd-minute winner with the assistance of Sohel Rana.
Head to Head record
The previous face-off was the only occasion when they squared off each other and the battle between these two combatants was concluded on a 1-1 settlement at the final whistle. Where Fernandes from the Kings and David Williams from the Green and Maroons got themselves on the scoresheets. Despite receiving tough competition from the Dhaka-based club that season, ATKMB stayed on the top and advanced through the next stage.
Team News
The Spanish central defender Tiri who operates as the rock of ATK Mohun Bagan’s defensive wall suffered an injury in the first half of the previous game. This is a major blow for the Mariners due to the uncertainty of his comeback as the 30-year-old defender’s presence is very crucial for the Green and Maroons. Right-back Ashutosh Mehta was brought onto the field to replace Tiri against Gokulam Kerala although we may see someone like Sandesh Jhinghan filling the boots of Spaniard in upcoming fixtures.
Apart from Ashutosh, Ferrando also used two more substitutes in the previous game and both of them impressed everyone with their cameo appearances. Especially Kiyan Nassiri who stepped out on the field in the 64th minute and left everyone awestruck with his offensive sharpness and smooth style of play. ATKMB fans are demanding Juan Ferrando to provide more game time to the youngster so that he can deliver more such glittering performances for the club.
On the other hand, Bashundhara Kings like to play dynamic football with a high defensive line which should be unchanged from their 1-0 win against Maziya. Whilst the defenders are expected to be rewarded for keeping a clean sheet, Mohammad Ibrahim is expected to make way for Motin Mia who impressed after coming off the bench.
Sumon Reza and Biplu Ahmed would also be hoping for more minutes on the field but goalscorer Nuha Marong and Suhel Rana are expected to keep their place in the starting XI.
Predicted Starting Lineups
ATK Mohun Bagan (4-2-3-1): Amrinder Singh; Prabir Das, Pritam Kotal, Tiri, Subhasish Bose; Lenny Rodrigues, Joni Kauko; Manvir Singh, David Williams, Liston Colaco; Roy Krishna
Bashundhara Kings (4-2-3-1): Anisur Rahman Zico; Tariq Kazi, Bishwanath Ghosh, Khaled Shafiei, Yeasin Arafat; Masuk Mia Jony, Sohel Rana; Mohammad Ibrahim, Miguel Figueira, Robinho; Nuha Marong
Prediction
The star power of ATK Mohun Bagan’s roster is quite unmatchable in Group D and they will be starting every group game as a favorites undoubtedly. Juan Ferrando is eying this fixture to heal the wounds from the previous one so that the Royal Bengal Tigers can reclaim the supremacy to achieve their ultimate aim of qualifying for the Interzone playoff semifinals once again.