AFC Cup 2021: ATK Mohun Bagan and Bengaluru FC’s matches to be held in the Maldives

AFC Cup 2021: ATK Mohun Bagan and Bengaluru FC's matches to be held in the Maldives

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have announced that the Maldives would host the AFC Cup 2021 playoffs and Group stage (South) fixtures. ATK Mohun Bagan FC and Bengaluru FC are the two Indian sides who have advanced for the AFC Cup 2021 and will compete in the second-tier tournament.

The AFC Cup was originally planned for May, but it was postponed because two Bengaluru FC members were accused of breaking the bio-bubble. The Maldives’ government highlighted this issue, and the event was rescheduled until August.

The AFC Cup (South) Group D fixtures will take place over three days on August 18, 21, and 24, with the group winners progressing to the single-leg Inter-Zone Semi-final.

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Bengaluru FC will face Club Eagles in a playoff encounter on August 15th, with the victor joining ATK Mohun Bagan FC, Maziya S&RC, and Bashundhara Kings in Group D. The Blues have only contested in one match in the AFC Cup South Zone preliminary stage, which they won 5-0 against Nepal Army Club.

AFC Cup 2021: Bengaluru FC and ATK Mohun Bagan team news

ATK-Mohun Bagan and Bengaluru FC have both added excellent individuals to their squads and have been training for the AFC Cup.

The AFC Cup will be the first major event for Bengaluru FC, which will be led by new manager Marco Pezzaiuoli. After a poor ISL campaign, the Blues has acquired excellent additions to their team and will be pushing all out in the AFC Cup.

They became the first Indian side to reach the AFC Cup final in 2016, as they defeated JDT in two legs to go to the finale. They were defeated by Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya and ended as runner-ups but will be eyeing a victory this time.

Hugo Boumous, Amrinder Singh, Joni Kauko, Ashutosh Mehta, Liston Colaco, and Deepak Tangri have all been added to ATK Mohun Bagan’s lineup. The new recruits have expressed their desire to perform effectively in the AFC Cup, with the hope of becoming the first Indian club to capture the title.

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