Former I-League champions Mohun Bagan go into their final AFC Cup 2016 group game on Wednesday in Guwahati where they take on South China. The Indian club have already progressed to the knockout stages of the competition this time around.
Currently atop Group G of the AFC Cup 2016, Mohun Bagan have three wins and two draws from their five games so far. Wednesday also decides who joins Bagan in the knockout stages of the competition. Only one out of the three teams -- South China, Maziya and Yangon United -- will progress to the next round.
Following this game against South China, Bagan will take on Tampines Rovers for the second time this season, in the pre-quarter final of the competition on May 24 in Guwahati. Whoever wins the match progresses to the quarter final of AFC Cup 2016.
The Mariners created history earlier this season as they beat Rovers and qualified for the second round of the AFC Champions League, becoming the only Indian club to achieve the feat in the process.
But before that, ahead of the South China game, Mohun Bagan are keen on continuing their undefeated record in the AFC Cup 2016. "Obviously we want to win the match [against South China] because we have so far been undefeated and we want to finish the group stages as unbeaten champions," Mohun Bagan coach Sanjoy Sen told the club's official website ahead of the game.
"And I think we can do it definitely."
Bagan had defeated South China 4-0 in their previous leg encounter in March; Lenny Rodrigues, Cornell Glen, Sony Norde and Jeje Lalpekhlua remained in the scoresheet. Glen and Norde are, however, rested by Sen and have not travelled to Guwahati for the game.
South China, meanwhile, need a win to join Bagan as the other team from the group in the AFC Cup 2016 pre-quarter final and they are gearing up to put up an impressive display in Guwahati.
"We are looking to win since a win will confirm our participation in the next round and we don't have to depend on the results of the other teams in fray. I only worry about my own team and not the opponents," South China Coach Ricardo Rambo said. "So if we play well, it really doesn't matter the players they play with."
Where to watch live
Mohun Bagan vs South China is scheduled to kick off at 6:30 p.m. IST (10:50 p.m. HKT) on May 11.
Viewers in India can catch the game on Star Sports 2.
Viewers in Singapore can catch the game on Fox Sports 2. Online streaming is available on Fox Sports Play.
Live scores from the match can also be found on the official Mohun Bagan Twitter handle.
