ATK Mohun Bagan’s attacking frailties have been badly uncovered as they undergo a 1-3 defeat to Kuala Lumpur Town FC within the inter-zone semifinal fit of the AFC Cup right here on Wednesday.
KL Town FC’s Brazilian captain Paulo Josue struck as soon as (sixtieth) and arrange every other for change Fakrul Aiman (90+3) with an excellent free-kick. Colombian ahead Romel Morales got here off the bench to hit the overall nail in Mohun Bagan’s coffin (90+6) on the Salt Lake Stadium right here. Mohun Bagan equalised within the ninetieth minute thru change Fardin Ali Molla however they later crumbled in entrance of house supporters.
This used to be Mohun Bagan’s moment successive removing from the AFC Cup on the Inter-Zone semifinal level. In 2021, they’d persisted a 0-6 humiliation in opposition to FC Nasaf. KL Town FC will now face Uzbekistan’s PFC Sogdiana within the inter-zone play-off ultimate.
🗣 “Let’s cross to Uzbekistan!”
🇲🇾 KL Town boys are able to tackle PFC Sogdiana after popping out victorious in Kolkata! #AFCCup2022 %.twitter.com/CO6f5j7mq0
— #AFCCup2022 (@AFCCup) September 7, 2022
It used to be a fact take a look at for ATK Mohun Bagan trainer Juan Ferrando forward of the Indian Tremendous League because the Spaniard has failed to position in combination a just right offensive and defensive unit after the departure of Roy Krishna, David Williams, Sandesh Jhingan and Tiri.
Only some days in the past, Mohun Bagan made a surprise team level go out from the Durand Cup after shedding to I-League aspect Rajasthan United FC.
The 1-3 scoreline in favour of the Malaysian outfit, alternatively, didn’t precisely painting the Mariners’ domination within the first-half, particularly within the first quarter-hour once they had a lion’s proportion of ownership. However, they overlooked a flurry of possibilities with the hanging lineup of Manvir Singh, Ashique Kuruniyan and Liston Colaco appearing little coordination in advance, underlining the loss of firepower within the absence of Roy Krishna and David Williams. Within the seventeenth minute, Colaco went previous a defender from the left upon getting a go from Kauko, however he slammed the ball directly to Azri Ghani.
Colaco persevered his plight in entrance of the opposition purpose as he wasted alternatives within the thirty sixth and forty second mins.
Simply when the house workforce’s distress persevered, Josue’s screaming left-footer in opposition to the run of play put the Kuala Lumpur aspect forward on the hour-mark, taking his purpose rely to 3. It used to be a great tactical show by means of their Croatian gaffer who now has an all-win report in India, having received in opposition to Bengaluru FC and East Bengal as Johor Darul Ta’zim trainer prior to now.
It gave the impression all however over for Mohun Bagan however the ultimate six mins’ riveting motion raised some hopes sooner than their protection crumbled to items in entrance of an excited 18,000-odd lovers.
Mohun Bagan lovers were given a glimmer of hope within the loss of life mins of legislation time when Bengal’s Santosh Trophy hero Molla (ninetieth) brilliantly scored from a rebound after being arrange by means of Kauko. However what adopted used to be a harakiri by means of the Brendan Hamill-spearheaded defence that allow in two targets within the house of 2 mins of second-half stoppage time. Having put his workforce forward, the Brazilian Josue despatched a great 35-yard free-kick as Fakrul made it 2-1 with a tasty header from a goalmouth melee.
The killer blow got here within the ultimate minute’s motion as Morales confirmed immense composure and fired in from the near-post as Mohun Bagan goalkeeper Kaith had no probability.
