Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Male: Coach Sanjoy Sen has urged Mohun Bagan to get the win they need to wrap up top spot in Group G of the AFC Cup as they prepare to take on Maziya Sports & Recreation at Male’s National Stadium on Wednesday.
The I-League side qualified for the last 16 for the first time after a 1-1 draw against Yangon United in Myanmar two weeks ago as they maintained their unbeaten run in Group G.
Sen's team now require one more victory to advance to the next round as group winners and head into the tie off the back of a comprehensive 5-0 win against recently-crowned Indian champions JSW Bengaluru at the weekend.
“We need to win this match to confirm a place in the second round as the winner of the group so it is an important game for us,” said Sen, who will be without suspended defender Luciano Sobroso.
“It will not be an easy game for us - it will be an interesting match as Maziya will fight to get a place in the second round, but we want to win as well.
Opponents Maziya, meanwhile, currently occupy third place in the standings after their 2-0 reversal to Hong Kong’s South China on Matchday Four as the battle for second place intensifies.
“Our main target is to win this match, we are not looking to the positives and negatives of the opposition team,” said coach Ali Suzain, who will unable to call on suspended duo Ashadh Ali and Samdhooh Mohamed.
“Our hopes for qualifying for the second round depend on this match. We didn’t play a competitive game before our first game against Mohun Bagan, but now we have played a few and have a positive attitude.”
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Wednesday’s other Group G encounter sees South China host Yangon with the Hong Kong Premier League side knowing defeat would see them eliminated with a game to spare.
“We really need to take advantage of this home game and we are going to give it all our effort to win the match and get three points,” said South China coach Ricardo Rambo, whose team were defeated 2-1 in Yangon in the reverse fixture fixture.
“I watched their previous matches and their players are aggressive and attack-minded. We need to pay attention to them and make sure we keep a clean sheet.”
Myanmar National League champions Yangon go into the tie on second place in the standings after their impressive 1-1 draw with leaders Mohun Bagan in their last Group G clash.
“I do not like to talk about our team’s winning chances, but as long as we give our best that should be okay,” said Yangon coach Marjan Sekulovski.
“I would rather let our performance on the pitch speak for itself. There will always be a winning chance if we play to our best.”
Photo: Lagardère Sports