A brilliant hattrick by Australian booter David Williams guided Kolkata Mohun Bagan to qualify for group stage of the AFC Cup' 2022 eliminating Dhaka Abahani by 3-1 goals in the final play-off match the Yuvo Bharati (Salt Lake) Stadium in Kolkata on Tuesday.

With the day's feat, ATK Mohun Bagan earned rights to play in the Group D of the AFC Cup main competition alongwith Gokulam Kerala FC (India), Bashundhara Kings (Bangladesh) and Maziya Sports and Recreation Club (Maldives). 

It was the 2nd victory for traditional Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan against Dhaka Abahani in 3 meetings  since 2017.

Dhaka Abahani also conceded 1-3 goals defeat against Kolkata Mohun Bagan in their away match of the AFC Cup Football in Kolkata in 2017 while their home match against the Mohun Bagan ended in a 1-1 draw in Dhaka in the same year.

In the day's match, striker David Williams made a hattrick  scoring three goals in the 6th, 30th and 85th minutes while Russian World Cup playing Costa Rica booter Daniel Colindres netted the face saving goal for six times Bangladesh Premier League champions Dhaka Abahani Limited in the 61st minute.

Earlier. the popular sky-blue Dhanmondi outfit Dhaka Abahani got walkover against Club Valencia of the Maldives in their first play-off match of the AFC Cup with the latter withdrawing the team in the last minute due to funds crisis.

On other hand, Mohun Bagan cruised past Sri Lanka's, Blue Star 5-0 in the second preliminary round of the 2022 AFC Cup last Tuesday with the Mariners thrashing their opponents courtesy of braces from Joni Kauko, Manvir Singh and a goal from David Williams.