Qarshi: Indian Super League side ATK Mohun Bagan(ATKMB) will be taking up a vital challenge as they lock horns against former AFC Cup Champions Nasaf FC on the inter-zone semi-finals in the 2021 AFC Cup Championship at Markaziy Stadium in Qarshi on September 22.
ATKMB made a comfortable way into the semifinals winning two out of three matches in the round-robin stages against compatriots Bengaluru FC and Maldives local Maziya while being held in a draw against across border rivals Bashundhara Kings.
While this is probably the biggest challenge they have yet faced, the squad depth of the Mariners is hugely promising although the exclusion of Hugo Boumous had been a major set back for Lopez’s side.
Opponents Nasaf FC had an all win record in the group stages of the competition as well as the zonal finals adding to their confidence followed by the psychological advantage of having won the tournament once already.
2022 European Championship star Joni Kauko is set to take Boumous place in the midfield along with Liston Colaco and Deepak Tangri. The absence of Sandesh Jhingan is surely to be felt even with Carl McHugh leading the four-man backline along with Ashutosh Mehta , Subhashish Bose and Pritam Kotal. The front is inevitably to be led by Roy Krishna with David Willam and Manvir Singh in his support.
As for Nasaf, the attacking duo of Andrija Kaludjerovic and local Khushayin Norchayev has been lethal for the side. Norchayev scored in three out of four matches in the tournament. Even at the age of 19, the Uzbek forward has shown qualities that can make his a big name someday. ATKMB defenders will have to alert to keep him at the bay.
