Mohun Bagan Super Giant endured a disappointing start to their AFC Champions League 2 campaign, falling 0-1 to Turkmenistan’s Ahal FK in their opening Group C fixture at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Tuesday.
A late strike by substitute Enver Annayev in the 83rd minute proved decisive, handing Ahal three vital away points and leaving the Indian Super League (ISL) double winners with much to ponder.
Despite coming into the competition with momentum from their recent ISL League and Cup double, Mohun Bagan looked unrecognisable on the pitch. Lacking sharpness and cohesion, the Mariners struggled to find their rhythm throughout the match. Ahal, in contrast, showcased disciplined defending and a structured tactical approach, fully deserving of their historic win.
Head coach Jose Molina’s decision to bench several first-choice players raised eyebrows and appeared to affect the team’s fluency. The home side failed to assert itself in the opening hour, with forwards Jason Cummings and Sahal Abdul Samad unable to make significant inroads in the attacking third. The midfield, too, was underwhelming, with Deepak Tangri and Lalengmawia Ralte failing to control the tempo or link play effectively.
Mohun Bagan showed glimpses of resurgence midway through the second half when Molina introduced key players such as Anirudh Thapa, Jamie Maclaren, and debutant Robson Robinho. The substitutions brought renewed energy, and the home side created a flurry of chances. Maclaren, Sahal, and Cummings all came close to scoring but were unable to beat Ahal goalkeeper Rustem Orazmuhammedov, who stood firm under pressure.
The sucker punch came in the final minutes as Ahal’s second-half substitutes Bashim Gurbanberdiyev and Enver Annayev combined brilliantly. Annayev finished the move with composure, capitalising on Mohun Bagan’s stretched defence to seal a famous win for the visitors.
The result leaves Mohun Bagan with an uphill task in a tough group that also features Sepahan SC of Iran and Al-Hussein SC of Jordan. Their next match, away against Sepahan in Isfahan on September 30, now takes on added significance, with the Indian side needing a result to keep their hopes of progression alive.
For Ahal FK, the win marks a dream start to their debut Pro League campaign and a warning to the rest of the group that the newcomers mean business. For Mohun Bagan, a serious recalibration is needed if they are to avoid an early exit from the continental stage.
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