Mohun Bagan Super Giant Suffers Narrow Defeat to Bashundhara Kings in AFC Cup 2023-24 Group D Clash

In a tightly contested AFC Cup 2023-24 Group D match, Indian football club Mohun Bagan Super Giant succumbed to a 2-1 defeat against Bangladesh’s Bashundhara Kings at the Bashundhara Kings Arena in Dhaka.

Liston Colaco (17′) provided an early lead for Mohun Bagan, but Bashundhara Kings turned the tide with goals from Miguel Figueira (44′) and Robinho (80′).

Despite the loss, both Mohun Bagan SG and Bashundhara Kings now boast seven points from four matches. However, Bashundhara Kings currently tops the Group D table based on head-to-head results, following their 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture last month.

The match commenced with intense action, as both teams battled aggressively for possession. Mohun Bagan Super Giant, an Indian Super League club, seemed more likely to score, with Manveer Singh, Liston Colaco, Hugo Boumous, and Samad Abdul Samad all missing promising chances.

Ultimately, it was Liston Colaco who broke the deadlock. After Jason Cummings’ cross from the left was parried by Bashundhara’s goalkeeper Hasan Srabon, Liston pounced on the rebound and calmly slotted the ball into the net.

Bashundhara Kings had an opportunity to equalize shortly afterward when Miguel Figueira found himself one-on-one with Mohun Bagan goalkeeper Vishal Kaith, but he sent his shot sky-high.

As the match progressed, Bashundhara Kings gained momentum, with Robinho posing a significant threat on the left flank. Just before halftime, Miguel Figueira atoned for his earlier miss, striking a left-footed shot from outside the box into the top left corner to level the score.

The second half was characterized by end-to-end action, with both teams trading chances. Robinho nearly put Bashundhara Kings in the lead, but his long-range effort rattled off the right post.

Around the 60-minute mark, Rakib Hossain penetrated the box and took a shot, only to be denied by a fantastic save from Vishal Kaith. Although Cummings found the net for Mohun Bagan, the goal was disallowed due to offside.

Robinho, who had been impressive throughout the match, finally secured the win for the home team. The Brazilian created space inside the Mohun Bagan box, took a touch, and calmly placed the ball into the net, securing the 2-1 victory.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant will host fellow Indian club Odisha FC in their next AFC Cup 2023-24 Group D match at Kolkata’s Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on November 27.