Preview: ATK Mohun Bagan face tricky hurdle against Abahani Limited Dhaka in AFC Cup clash

ATK Mohun Bagan will be up against Bangladeshi side Abahani Limited Dhaka in their 2022 AFC Cup play-off round match at the Salt Lake Stadium on Tuesday evening.

A win for either side will help them qualify for the group stages of the competition, which begins on May 18, next month. While the Dhaka-based side withdrew from the competition after Covid-19 related issues in the previous season, ATK Mohun Bagan were shown the door in the inter-zone playoff semi-finals against a strong FC Nasaf from Uzbekistan.

Form Guide

ATK Mohun Bagan - WLLWW

Despite getting knocked out of the championship race in the semi-finals of the Hero ISL 2021-22, the Mariners started their 2022 AFC Cup campaign on a high, having ousted Sri Lanka based side Blue Star SC 5-0 in Kolkata, last week. Out of their last five competitive matches, they have won three and lost the other two.

Abahani Limited Dhaka - WDDDW

The team from Bangladesh has won two and drawn the three in their last five matches, and they currently placed at the second spot in the Bangladesh Premier League with 22 points from 11 matches. The last qualifier against Maldives-based side Valencia was cancelled after the latter withdrew from the competition.

Head to Head

These two teams have never faced-off against each other before.

Also Read: AFC Champions League: Mumbai City FC hold Al Jazira in closely-fought encounter

Key Players

ATK Mohun Bagan

Joni Kauko: The star performer for ATK Mohun Bagan in the previous game, Joni Kauko ripped apart Blue Star SC back-four with his sublime moves. His defence splitting passes were too hot to handle for the Sri Lankan side, while he also scored a couple of goals in the convincing victory. Up against a tougher opponent in Tuesday’s game, the Finnish playmaker would be aiming to continue the good work he’s been doing recently.

Manvir Singh: Two goals, one assist - Manvir Singh was on a roll in the previous game. He could have easily added a third to the tally and scripted a rare hat-trick in an AFC competition. Nevertheless, with form on his side and playing in front of home fans, it will give him the perfect opportunity to recreate similar magic in the upcoming game and help his team qualify for the group stages of the 2022 AFC Cup.

Abahani Limited Dhaka

Raphael Augusto: Not an unknown face in India, Raphael Augusto has played across five seasons in the Hero ISL, having won two titles with Chennaiyin FC. The central midfielder has already made an impact for his new employers and is largely responsible for maintaining the tempo of the game. Facing-off old foes, the Brazilian will have his task cut-out as they brace for a tough away game.

Dorielton: By far the best player for Abahani Limited Dhaka in the ongoing season. ‘Dori’ - as he is popularly known, has already netted seven times and assisted twice in the 2022 Bangladesh Premier League, including a hat-trick. With a strong ATK Mohun Bagan defence guarding the castle, the visitors would be banking on a player of Dori’s calibre to convert the chances and steer them to the group stages of the continental event.