Fresh on the mind are the prangs of the Kolkata Derby defeat for Mohun Bagan Super Giant head coach Juan Ferrando. But the Spanish tactician hasn’t shied away from claiming that his side will give their all out for the upcoming AFC Cup Qualifier match against Machhindra FC.
“It’s important for us to play every match to our best. We need to focus on the next game and take it one step at a time. We need to end it in 90 minutes, but it won’t be easy as it’s an international competition,” said Juan Ferrando at the press conference.
“The international matches are difficult. Our opponent won the last match 3-2 and showed they’re an aggressive and ambitious team. It’ll be a difficult match,” Ferrando added on his opponent.
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Mohun Bagan was handed a shocking 1-0 defeat by arch-rivals East Bengal in the recent Kolkata Derby which has surely dealt a big blow to the morale of the team. But the Green and Marron brigade should be ready to topple their opposition in the upcoming AFC Cup Preliminary Round 2 games.
Speaking about the defeat and the upcoming match Ferrando added, “We are talking about an international match now in which we’ll take on a very good thing. The past is the past. We’ll work in this situation and will need to find solutions on our defensive problems.”
“It’s dream to play for this club. Every footballer wants to play for this club. I want to play like same, like how I was playing before,” Anwar said.
Playing his first derby in front of a packed crowd of 50,000-plus, Anwar looked listless the other day.
“It was my first derby. It’s very difficult for me also, so many people supporting us. The result was not good but I was happy after the game because I enjoyed a lot, the atmosphere. I want to tell the fans that in the upcoming games, we will do better,” he said.
Ready to give his A-game against the Nepal outfit, he said: “We are all ready, it will be a big and tough game. Boys are really excited to play this game, we are looking forward.”
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After losing in the Inter-Zone semi-finals last season, India’s Mohun Bagan Super Giant return with the aim of reaching the group stage for the third consecutive time. Spanish head coach Juan Ferrando has strengthened his squad by acquiring Australia striker Jason Cummings as well as India internationals Sahal Abdul Samad and Anwar Ali as the Kolkata side begin their quest to go deep into the tournament once more.
On Wednesday, they face Nepal’s Machhindra FC, who posted their first-ever win in the tournament when they overcame Paro FC in the previous round. In their second preliminary round appearance, the Kathmandu side have their hopes pinned on striker Afeez Olawale Oladipo and midfielder Andres Nia Tchounkeu while forward Bimal Gharti Magar will be keen to make a mark against his former club.
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