Coming from behind, Kolkata Mohun Bagan Super Giant smartly advanced to the group stage of the AFC Cup Football 2023-24 eliminating Dhaka Abahani Limited by 3-1 goals in a do-or- die play-off match under the flood light Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt lake Stadium) in Kolkata Tuesday evening.
With the day's feat, Mohun Bagan Club not only qualified for the main draw (group stage) of the 2nd tier of the Asia's club football league, but also maintained their creditable unbeaten runs against shaky and six times Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) champions Dhaka Abahani Limited,featuring three wins in four matches.
The main draw of the AFC Cup Football will be held on August 24.
Also read: AFC Cup Football : Dhaka Abahani to fly for Kolkata Monday to play Mohun Bagan SG in play-off match
Incidentally, the Kolkata Mariners beat current BPL runners-up Dhaka Abahani by 3-1 in all the three occasions held in Kolkata while the remaining match between them ended in 1-1 draw in Dhaka..
The match between two football giants of Dhaka and Kolkata was locked in 1-1 goals in the first half.
St Vincent winger Cornelius Ezekiel Stewart, who scored the first goal for Dhaka Abahani against Club Eagles of the Maldives in the AFC Cup preliminary round last week, put Dhaka Abahani ahead in the 17th minute by a cool placing shot from close, utilizing the lapse of the opponent custodian Vishal Kaith (1-0).
Also read: Dhaka Abahani Ltd in Kolkata to play AFC Cup play-off match without three key players
But, Australian forward Jason Cumming restored the parity for Mohun Bagan in the 37th minute from a penalty (1-1). The Kolkata ginat Mohun Bagan got the spot kick when of the Abahani defender Sushanto Tripura brought down oppoinent booter Liston Colaco in the danger zone.
Mohun Bagan took lead in the 58th minute when Abahani booter Milad Sheikh sent the ball to his own net in the 59th minute while he foiled an attempt of Mohun Bagan booter Jason Cumming (2-1).
Armand Sadiko scored the 3rd goal for Mohun Bagan just two minutes later off a quick corner kick Calaco (3-1).
After the departure of Dhaka Abahani Limited from the 19th edition of the Asia's secondary club football tournament, another Bangladesh club and the BPL champions Bashundhara Kings stayed in the AFC Cup race, mian draw of which will begin on September 18.
Also read: AFC Cup Football: Dhaka Abahani advance to play- off stage eliminating Club Eagles of Maldives 2-1
Earlier in the preliminary round, Dhaka Abahani advanced to the play-off stage of the AFC Cup Football eliminating Club Eagles of the Maldives by 2-1 goals at the Sylhet District Stadium Wednesday afternoon.
On the other hand, Kolkata Mohun Club eliminated Machhindra FC of Kathmandu beating them by 3-1 goals at the Kolkata Salt Lake Stadium, also on Wednesday evening.