Hero I-league title contenders Mohun Bagan and Bengaluru FC are slated to face off with Myanmar powerhouses Yangon United and Ayeyawadi United respectively on the third match day of AFC Cup 2016.
The Blues staged a valiant display against the defending champions Johor Darul Ta’zim last week in Bengaluru and now they’ll desperately look to open their account to stay alive in the continent.
Curtis Osano and CK Vineeth, who missed the Blues’ last two games with groin strains, have made the trip while skipper Sunil Chhetri, who had no part to play in the defeat to Johor, could be in contention to make the starting eleven
Ayeyawady will be relying on their Nigerian striker Christopher Chizoba who notched up a hat-trick in the win over Lao. Chizoba, interestingly, has an India connection of sorts having turned out for Kolkata side Mohun Bagan. He also had stints at Kalighat MS, Mohammedan Sporting, Shillong Lajong and Lonestar Kashmir FC.
On the other hand, defending Hero I-League champions Mohun Bagan have eased past Maziya Sports & Recreation Club and South China with flying colors and are tipped to qualify from Group G.
While addressing the media in Guwahati, Sanjoy Sen stated, “Generally I don’t look back in the last match and it’ll be a fresh 90 minutes of football tomorrow. Once we perform up to our potential, we could get another 3 points tomorrow.”
The Trinidad & Tobago- born striker Cornell Glen was seen struggling in the last Hero I-League match and he hasn’t travelled with the team to Guwahati where Mohun Bagan are playing their AFC Cup home matches this season. They had to shift their home matches to Guwahati as the Salt lake stadium is unavailable for a considerable period as the renovation work is going on for the forthcoming U17 World Cup next year.
Mohun Bagan are enjoying the top position in the group with 6 points from two matches and Yangon United are breathing on their neck with 4 points from as many games.
Bengaluru FC’s match will kick off at 3 PM IST whereas Mohun Bagan’s quest for the third consecutive win in the continental stage is slated to start at 7 PM IST.
