After a dramatic 3-2 win over the Bhutanese side Paro FC, the Nepalese giants Macchindra FC booked their encounter with the ISL champions Mohun Bagan Super Giants for the AFC Asian Cup 2023 preliminary round 2.
This this for the first time, Machhindra advanced to the second round of the AFC Cup qulaifications. Earlier last year Macchindra were out from the round 1 after they lost against the Sri Lankan side Blue Star SC by 2-1.
Machhindra vs Mohun Bagan Super Giant match preview:
This is the first time ever Machhindra are facing any of the Indian Super League side. Though finishing second in the Matyr's Memorial A Division League , Machhindra FC were lucky enough to get their spot in the AFC Cup preliminary round as the winner Church Boys United failed to acquire the AFC Club License this year. Machhindra were the back to back A Division League champions in the last two editions.
On the other hand, the Mohun Bagan Super Giants are the current Hero-Indian Super League 2022/23 champions. This 133 years old club have been participating in the AFC Club competition since 1987 AFC Club Competition where they even faced another top club from Nepal "Manang Marsyangdi " in the qualifying round in their maiden participation. The Manang side were defeated by Mohun Bagan with 6-1 scoreline.
Mohun Bagan: The champion club with full of big names
The former I-League club Mohun Bagan were merged with the ISL club Athletico de Kolkata-ATK & then named ATK Mohun Bagan. This year the club changed its name to Mohun Bagan Super Giants , which is affiliated with IPL team Lucknow Super Giants.
The current squad of Mohun Bagan Super Giants includes many big names from Indian National Men's Football team and even the foreigners. Their two recent signings the Indian midfielder Anirudh Thapa on a transfer fee of 3 crores for 5 years & the Australian national team forward & A-league winning striker striker Jason Cummings has signed with Indian Super League club Mohun Bagan Super Giant for an undisclosed fee. Cummings left his former club as a club legend, scoring 31 goals in his 50 appearances for the Central Coast Mariners.
Mohun Bagan Super Giants last 5 matches:
- 12 August 0-1 vs Enami East Bangal SC, Durand Cup 2023
- 18 April 0-1 vs FC Goa, Super Cup
- 14 April 0-3 vs Jamshedpur FC, Super Cup 2023
- 10 April 5-1 Gokulam Kerala FC, Super Cup 2023
- 18 March 2(4)-2(3) vs Bengaluru FC, ISL 2022/23 Final
Mohun Bagan Super Giants Squad:
Goalkeepers: Arsh Seikh, Abhilash Paul, Devnath Mondal, Vishal Kauth
Defenders: Anwar Ali, Ashish Rai, Brendon Hamil, Vector Yuste, Ravi Rana, Subashish Bose
Midfielders: Abhisek Suryavanshi, Anirudh Thapa, Enson Singh, Federico Gallego, Glan Martins, Hugo Boumous, Lalrinliana Hnamte, Ashique Kuruniyan, Sahal Abdul Samad
Forwards: Armando Sadiku, Dimitri Petratos, Jason Cummings, Kiyan Giri, Liston Colaso, Manvir Sigh, Md. Fardin Ali Molla
Head Coach: Juan Ferrando
Machhindra FC: The star xi of Nepalese stars
Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, is the home location of Machhindra FC, which was established in 1973. In fact, the club has had two renaming throughout its existence: first in 2004 (as Macchindra Bahal Club) and once in 2006 (as Macchindra Energizer FC). They are currently simply referred to as Machhindra FC and are one of the top teams in Nepal.
The club has recently begun to play at the highest level-roughly within the past four years. Over the past four years, they won the top division of Nepal twice, and they also took home the KP Oil Cup earlier this year.
For the AFC Cup, Machhindra signed 8 new faces from the different clubs on loan that includes the young star Ayush Ghalan (SC) who even scored one goal and assisted a goal against Paro FC, A division league emerging player Laken Limbu (TSC), defender Sanish Shrestha (APF), Aashish Chaudhary (CBU), Messouke Oloumou (FCK), Rejin Subba (MFC), Rohit Subba (MFC).
Machhindra FC last 5 matches:
- 8 August 3-2 vs Paro FC, AFC Cup 2023 R1
- 10 June 3-1 vs Manag Marsyangdi, A Division League 2023
- 7 June 3-1 vs Himalayan Sherpa, A Division League 2023
- 4 June 1-2 vs Nepal Police Club, A Division League 2023
- 31 May 3-1 vs Satdobato Youth Club, A Division League 2023
Machhindra FC recent form:
- W
- W
- W
- L
- W
Machhindra FC Squad:
Goalkeepers: Bishal Shrestha, Pradip Bhandari
Defenders: Omalaja Karim, Sanish Shrestha, Devendra Tamang, Diwakar Chaudhary, Chirring Gurung, Suraj BK
Midfielders: Andres Nia, Arik Bista, Laken Limbu,
Dipesh Ghale,Utsav Rai
Forwards: Messouke Olomou, Bimal Gharti Magar, Aayush Ghalan, Manish Dangi, Aashish Chaudhary, Bijay Bhujel, Afeez Olaole, Saurav Limbu, Abhisek Gurung, Rohit Subba, Rejin Subba
Coach: Kishor KC
The return of Cameroonian star Messouke in the team
A division league 2nd top scorer (18 goals) Messouke Oloumlu has been listed in the squad of Machhindra Football Club for the AFC Cup preliminary round 2 match against Mohun Bagan Super Giant on 16th of this August. The cameroonian star who missed the last encounter against Paro FC is all set to join the MFC's closed camp on Monday at Kolkata.
Macchindra FC vs Mohun Bagan Super Giants match date & venue:
The most anticipated match between Machhindra Football Club & Mohun Bagan Super Giants will be played on 16th of August in Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata.
Macchindra FC vs Mohun Bagan Super Giants match time & ticket price:
The match will be played under the flood light at 7:15 PM NST. The organizer hasn't announced the ticket prices yet.
How to watch Machhindra FC vs Paro FC AFC Cup match live:
The broadcasting the match of AFC Cup between Machhindra F.C. Mohun Bagan Super Giants can be watched through insports tv mobile application and website (paid subscription) & also from Mohun Bagan Super Giant fb page live subscription. But you can even watch live through sajhakhel tv website if possible.