Bashundhara Kings are now waiting to face Mohun Bagan after a draw against Bangalore FC of India in the second match of the AFC Cup. The Kings now have no alternative other than a win against the Indian giants at the Mall National Football Stadium in Maldives on Tuesday. Any other result will send the Bangladesh Premier League champions out of the group stage of the tournament.
Oscar Brujon's side kept the hopes alive with a draw against Bangalore, which would have been the same even if they had won the match. They had to win the last match.
Mohun Bagan beat Majia Sports and Recreation Club of Maldives 3-1 in their second match. After winning two matches, the team at the top of the group needs 1 point in the last match. Mohun Bagan is a strong team but not elusive. It is not impossible for Bashundhara Kings to defeat the Indian club.
Bashundhara Kings' AFC Cup debut was cancelled due to the pandemic. This time the club is preparing with the aim of playing in the inter-regional semi-finals after the group stage. They are at the last stage of achieving that goal. If they beat Mohun Bagan, they will write another history. In 2019, Abahani reached the inter-regional semifinals. They defeated the North Korea April 25 club by 4-3 in Dhaka and lost 2-0 in return leg. The North Korean team reached the regional final by winning the two matches 5-4 on aggregate.