ISL Champion Mohun Bagan SG will face two-time Nepal A-Division League champions Nepal side Machhindra FC in the AFC Cup 2023 Qualifiers Preliminary Round. The match will be played on August 16 at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.
Machhindra FC defeated Paro FC 3-2:
Machhindra FC defeated Bhutanese side Paro FC in the AFC Cup Qualifiers Round 1 clash on August 8. In the seventh minute the Nepali side conceded an own goal. But Prabesh Katuwal-managed side bounced back very strongly in the first half and scored three goals.
After conceding the first goal, Machhindra FC’s Bimal Gharti Magar scored the equalizer with a stunning header in the 12th minute. In the 15th minute, Machhindra FC’s Ayush Ghalan scored the second goal with an excellent goal inside the box. In the 38th minute, the Nepali side doubled their lead with a clinical strike from Nigerian striker Afeez Oladipo.
Machhindra FC set the tone of the match in the first half. But Paro FC fought hard in the second half but finished a goal behind. They pulled one goal back in the 71st minute with a strike from Evans Asate.
After the 3-2 scoreline, Paro FC created plenty of chances, but Nepali Club’s players held their nerve and secured the victory.
Mohun Bagan SG will play against Machhindra FC in the AFC Cup 2023 Qualifiers Preliminary Round:
Mohun Bagan Super Giant will face Machhindra FC on August 16 at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan. In the AFC Cup, Mohun Bagan SG were beaten in the last two Interzonal semi-finals. But this year, they have assembled a very competitive squad and are, on paper, favorites to win the game.
The winner of the game will face either Club Eagles or Abahani Dhaka in the south zone playoff on August 22 in Kolkata.
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