Mohun Bagan scripted a surprising second-half comeback to safe a 3-1 victory over Abahani Limited Dhaka within the AFC Cup playoffs at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Tuesday. The guests impressed with their counter-attacking prowess within the first-half, capitalising on their swift breaks to create harmful alternatives. Mario Lemos’ ways bore fruit within the seventeenth minute when their key marksman Cornelius Stewart benefitted from a goalkeeping howler by Vishal Kaith, to grab the chance towards the run of play.

A pivotal second got here within the thirty seventh minute when Liston Colaco was tripped, resulting in Jason Cummings’ leftfooted penalty kick to carry the sport on a fair keel earlier than the break.

Having helmed their defence with perfection, the Iranian centre again Milad Sheikhi Soleimani turned villain very quickly when he scored in his personal internet making an attempt to clear a skillful cross by Hugo Boumous.

Mohun Bagan then turned it up in type with Armanian ahead Armando Sadiku opening his account within the Mariners jersey to seal the difficulty inside the hour mark.

The win locked Mohun Bagan’s berth within the South Zone group stage, the place the final season’s Inter-Zone semifinalists will be part of Indian Super Cup champions Odisha FC, Bashundhara Kings of Bangladesh and Maziya Sports & Recreation Club of Maldives.

Mohun Bagan additionally did a double on Abahani, having defeated them by an similar scoreline on the similar stage final season.

Juan Ferrando adopted a 3-5-2 formation, with Liston Colaco partnering star ahead Jason Cummings upfront, nevertheless it didn’t yield the specified consequence because the Australian World Cupper remained at his wasteful finest.

Despite their spirited efforts, Cummings missed an early scoring alternative, as Abahani goalkeeper Mohammad Sahidul Alam made a simple save.

The contest noticed end-to-end motion, with Mohun Bagan making daring makes an attempt from the left wing however solely to fall brief on ending each time.

A well-timed by ball by Boumous practically discovered Asish Rai within the field within the twentieth minute, however Abahani’s protection intervened.

Abahani’s protection, led by Soleimani, showcased its prowess all through the match.

In the twenty eighth minute, Boumous was introduced down within the field, just for their penalty attraction to be dismissed by the referee.

India star ahead Sahal Abdul Samad had consecutive probabilities, testing Abahani’s protection, however the opposition held agency.

Sahal saved his composure however missed a possibility to capitalise.

The momentum shifted drastically within the second-half when Mohun Bagan secured the lead by an personal purpose.

An excellent sequence involving Boumous culminated in a cross guided into his personal internet by Soleimani.

Mohun Bagan seemed a reworked unit within the second-half and there was little that Abahani may do to cap their second successive defeat in two seasons.

Fresh from main Abahani to victory along with his decisive purpose towards Club Eagles within the preliminary stage, Stewart led the assault fantastically giving Kaith early jitters.

In the closing moments of the primary half, Abahani practically reclaimed the lead with a deflected header from a freekick, however Kaith managed to place it away, turning onto the publish.

It was a turnout within the second half as the house aspect prevailed overcoming the early deficit to seal their group berth. PTI TAP DDV

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