Mohun Bagan Super Giant got their AFC Champions League 2 campaign off to a disappointing start, suffering a 0-1 defeat against the visiting Turkmenistan side, Ahal FK, at the Salt Lake Stadium on Tuesday. Despite being the Indian Super League (ISL) double-crown winners and playing at home, Mohun Bagan struggled to find their rhythm, with a late goal from substitute Enver Annayev in the 83rd minute proving to be the decider.
The home team’s performance appeared disjointed and lacked the sharpness that had brought them so much success just a few months ago. Head coach Jose Molina made several surprising choices, leaving a number of his first-choice players on the bench. This decision, combined with a lack of genuine attacking cohesion, meant that Mohun Bagan’s forward line, including stars like Jason Cummings and Sahal Abdul Samad, failed to create meaningful opportunities.
On the other hand, Ahal FK, despite being ranked seven spots below India in the FIFA rankings and playing without any overseas players, showcased a highly disciplined and cohesive approach. The visitors were patient, controlled the midfield, and created their own chances, with one shot even striking the post in the first half. Ahal's coach's tactical substitutions proved to be the difference-maker, as Annayev, who had only been on the pitch for four minutes, combined with another substitute, Basim Gurbanberdiyev, to score the winning goal.
Mohun Bagan did show some signs of life in the second half after Molina introduced players like Anirudh Thapa, Jamie Maclaren, and new signing Robson Robinho. The changes injected some much-needed energy into the team's attack, and they came close to scoring on three occasions. However, their efforts were thwarted by Ahal's solid defense and some brilliant saves by their goalkeeper, leaving the home crowd stunned and silent.
The opening home loss puts significant pressure on Mohun Bagan as they prepare for a much tougher challenge. Their next Group C fixture is an away clash against Iranian giants Sepahan in Isfahan on September 30. The team will need to quickly address their form and tactical issues if they hope to secure a positive result against a "comparatively stronger opponent" and keep their hopes of advancing in the tournament alive.