<p>On Wednesday, Mohun Bagan Super Giant defeated Machhindra FC 3-1 in their preliminary round two match at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, to begin their 2023–24 AFC Cup campaign.<img decoding=”async” class=”alignnone wp-image-129262″ src=”https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/theindiaprint.com-machhindra-was-defeated-3-1-by-mohun-bagan-super-giants-in-the-second-preliminary-round-of-the-afc-cup-download-2023-08-17t175319.950-11zon.jpg” alt=”theindiaprint.com machhindra was defeated 3 1 by mohun bagan super giants in the second preliminary round of the afc cup download 2023 08 17t175319.950 11zon” width=”1234″ height=”821″ srcset=”https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/theindiaprint.com-machhindra-was-defeated-3-1-by-mohun-bagan-super-giants-in-the-second-preliminary-round-of-the-afc-cup-download-2023-08-17t175319.950-11zon.jpg 275w, https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/theindiaprint.com-machhindra-was-defeated-3-1-by-mohun-bagan-super-giants-in-the-second-preliminary-round-of-the-afc-cup-download-2023-08-17t175319.950-11zon-150×100.jpg 150w” sizes=”(max-width: 1234px) 100vw, 1234px” title=”Machhindra was defeated 3-1 by Mohun Bagan Super Giants in the second preliminary round of the AFC Cup 12″></p>
<p>newest hires Anwar Ali and Jason Cummings both scored their first goals for the Mariners. Anwar Ali, a young Indian center-back, scored two soaring headers off of corner kicks, while Jason Cummings, an accomplished Australian striker, maneuvered around the goalkeeper for a calm finish.</p>
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<p>The first half was completely controlled by Mohun Bagan Super Giant, who made 13 attempts while their opponents made none. The Machhindra FC’s captain and keeper, Bishal Shrestha, made save after save until ultimately caving in to a Hugo Boumous corner that was met by the bounding Anwar Ali in the 40th minute.</p>
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<p>Sahal Abdul Samad, a significant new addition for the Mariners, looked sharp during his maiden match for the team and had it not been for the heroics of Machhindra FC goalie, would have scored twice in the first half alone.</p>
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<p>Mohun Bagan SG continued to advance but was wasteful in the final third as the second half got underway.</p>
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<p>Manvir Singh and Dimitrios Petratos were added as forwards as head coach Juan Ferrando attempted to end the game. He almost immediately received payment when Petratos set up Cummings, a fellow countryman, who scored in the 56th minute after dribbling past the goalie.</p>
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<p>A tremendous left-footed freekick from Pierre Jean Oloumou, which sailed into the top-right corner, made things a bit nervous for the Kolkata giants in the 78th minute as Machhindra FC began to string together a few attempts.</p>
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<p>The team of Juan Ferrando reacted effectively to the goal and, rather than retreating, pushed forth in an effort to regain the initiative. In the 86th minute, Anwar Ali scored his second goal of the game by heading in a Petratos free-kick, putting an end to the contest.</p>
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<p>A much-needed victory for Mohun Bagan Super Giant allowed the Mariners to advance to the South Zone Play-off of the AFC Cup, where they will take on Abahani Limited Dhaka on August 22. This allowed the team to recover from their lackluster performance in the Kolkata derby.</p>
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