AFC Cup 2021: ATK Mohun Bagan reach knockouts

In their maiden appearance, Indian Super League (ISL) side ATK Mohun Bagan has reached the knockout stages of the AFC Cup. A 1-1 draw against Bashundhara Kings at Maldives National Stadium helped them emerge as Group D winners and qualify for the Inter-zone play-off semi-finals of the AFC Cup 2021. Meanwhile, Bengaluru FC grabbed a thumping 2-6 win against Maziya S&RC and finished third in Group D.

We recap ATK Mohun Bagan’s results from the AFC Cup 2021 Group D.

vs Bengaluru FC

The Kolkata outfit opened their campaign against fellow ISL side Bengaluru FC. Full-back Subhasish Bose set up a goal and scored another to grab a two-goal win over the Sunil Chhetri-led team. Roy Krishna headed home the opener in the 39th minute, while Bose made it 2-0 a few seconds into the second half.

ATK Mohun Bagan 2-0 Bengaluru FC

Goals: Roy Krishna, Subhasish Bose

Assists: Subhasish Bose, David Williams

vs Maziya S&RC

ATK Mohun Bagan struck thrice in the second half to claim a comeback win over hosts Maziya S&RC. After a bright start to the match, the Kolkata-based outfit conceded a goal in the 25th minute, and Maziya S&RC went into the break with the lead. Three minutes into the second half, Liston Colaco leveled the match as the 22-year-old headed Ashutosh Mehta’s cross into the net.

In the 63rd minute, the Maziya S&RC goalkeeper denied Liston’s effort. But Krishna pounced on the rebound and put the ball into the empty net. Hugo Boumous and Manvir Singh combined to score ATK Mohun Bagan’s third, putting the game to bed. It was Manvir’s first goal in the AFC competition.

Maziya S&RC 1-3 ATK Mohun Bagan

Goals: Liston Colaco, Roy Krishna, Manvir Singh

Assists: Ashutosh Mehta, Hugo Boumous

vs Bashundhara Kings

In the Group D decider, ATK Mohun Bagan locked horns with Bashundhara Kings. A draw was enough for Antonio Habas’ side to seal progress to the next round, while Kings’ needed three points. The Bangladesh side drew the first blood courtesy of a brilliant strike from Brazilian midfielder Fernandes. But they were down to ten men after defender Sushanto Tripura received a straight red card at the stroke of the half-time whistle.

With a man advantage, ATK Mohun Bagan went in search of the all-important equalizer.  Liston made a dazzling run from the left, went past a defender, and rolled the ball into the feet of David Williams. The Aussie made the easiest of finishes to make it 1-1. They survived a major scare when Robinho hit the woodwork in the 84th minute. However, the Mariners held on to a draw to grab a place in the knockouts stage.

ATK Mohun Bagan will face Uzbekistan’s FC Nasaf in the Inter-zone play-off semi-finals on September 22.

ATK Mohun Bagan 1-1 Bashundhara Kings

Goals: David Williams

Assists: Liston Colaco