Mohun Bagan Super Giants defeated Machindra FC to secure their spot in the playoffs in the AFC Cup 2023, Anwar Ali played a pivotal role.
Machhindra FC of Nepal was defeated by Mohun Bagan Super Giants 3-1 in the Preliminary Round 2 of the 2023–24 AFC Cup. Along with the youthful Indian center, newly acquired players Anwar Ali and Jason Cummings scored their first goals for the Mariners. The veteran Australian striker rounded the keeper for a controlled finish, while the right-back scored two lofted headers from corner kicks.
With 13 tries to none for their opponents, Mohun Bagan Super Giant controlled play for the all of the first half. Bishal Shrestha, the captain and keeper for Machindra FC, made a number of saves before eventually giving up a Hugo Boumous corner that was headed in by a bounding Anwar Ali in the 40th minute.Sahal Abdul Samad, another key player for the Mariners, appeared energetic in his debut appearance for the team and might have scored twice in the first half alone if not for the heroics of the Machindra FC goalie.
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Similar to the first, Mohun Bagan SG continued to advance but wasted opportunities in the final third to open the second half. Manvir Singh and Dimitrios Petratos, two strikers, were added as head coach Juan Ferrando attempted to put an end to the game. He received payment almost immediately as Petratos assisted Cummings, a fellow countryman, in scoring a goal in the 56th minute after beating the goalie.
When Machindra FC eventually began to generate an assault and scored a goal in the 78th minute on Pierre Jean Oloumo's left-footed freekick that sailed into the top-right corner, things were a little tight for the Kolkata giants. The side of Juan Ferrando reacted effectively to the goal and, rather than retreating, moved forward in an effort to retake the initiative. In the 86th minute, they eventually scored the third goal that won the match when Anwar Ali headed in a Petratos free-kick for his second goal of the game.The Mariners advanced to the South Zone play-offs of the AFC Cup, where they will take on Abahani Limited Dhaka on August 22. The Mariners recovered from a lackluster performance in the Kolkata derby, and a much-needed victory for Mohun Bagan Supergiant saw them advance.