Former I-League champions Mohun Bagan have already qualified for the knockout stages of the AFC Cup 2016, following their impressive performance in the competition this season. Currently atop Group G of the tournament with two games to go, a win for the Mariners against Maziya on Wednesday will confirm them as group winners.
The Indian club play the Maldivian side at the National Stadium in Male.
Catch the match report HERE.
Bagan are undefeated from their last four AFC Cup 2016 fixtures. Although their I-League season came crashing down in the closing stages, their morale-boosting 5-0 thrashing of I-League champions Bengaluru FC in their final game of the league in Siliguri last weekend may have given them that confidence back.
Mohun Bagan started their campaign in the AFC Cup 2016 with a 5-2 beating of Maziya in the reverse fixture in Guwahati in February. Jeje Lalpekhlua and Cornell Glen scored a brace each while Sony Norde netted the other goal in that game.
Although their form has been quite good in the AFC Cup, Mohun Bagan coach Sanjoy Sen is not taking things for granted ahead of this away game.
"Away matches are always tough and Maziya will be well prepared," Sen was quoted as saying by Goal. "It will be a hard fought match as Maziya will be looking to qualify for the next round. We need to get a point to finish as the group champion which will give us an opportunity to play our round of 16 match at home.
"We will have to forget what we have done so far [in the I-League] and shall concentrate match by match."
Maziya have to win this game to keep their hopes of joining Bagan in the AFC Cup 2016 knockout stages alive. "Our main target is to win this match, we are not looking to the positives and negatives of the opposition team," Maziya coach Ali Suzain said.
"Our hopes for qualifying for the second round depend on this match. We didn't play a competitive game before our first game against Mohun Bagan, but now we have played a few and have a positive attitude," he added.
Where to watch live
Maziya vs Mohun Bagan is scheduled to kick off at 4:30 p.m. IST on April 27.
Viewers in India can catch the game on Star Sports 4.
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.
