After getting past Maziya in the most emphatic fashion possible, defending I-League champions Mohun Bagan take on South China, Wednesday, in their second AFC Cup 2016 encounter.
Jeje Lalpekhlua and Cornell Glen scored a brace each in the game, while Sony Norde got one more goal for the Mariners. That may have looked like a comfortable victory for Bagan, but they know that recording a similar result against South China at the Mongkok Stadium, Hong Kong, is not easy.
The Hong Kong based side had defeated Bengaluru FC in the first stage of the knockouts in the AFC Cup last year.
Sanjoy Sen, who has been handed a hefty ban by the AIFF, will be back for this game as his suspension doesn't come into effect during the AFC Cup 2016 matches. Looking ahead to the game, the Kolkata coach said that keeping the confidence as well as the momentum is the key to achieving a good result.
"We are facing an opponent which is unknown to us and we will have to start on a positive note for the game," Sen was quoted as saying by Goal. "We just need to follow the basics and concentrate on our game and display good football to achieve three points."
Mohun Bagan are currently atop Group G in the AFC Cup 2016, while South China are third. They suffered a 2-1 defeat to Yangon United in their last fixture of the competition, but going into the match against the Indian side, they are expected to give their best.
"This will be a tough game, as Mohun Bagan has very good players, like Sony Norde, Katsumi Yusa and Cornell Glen," South China head coach Casemiro Mior said. "In their last AFC game they beat Maziya 5-2 in a very good shape, but we have to win in our home game as we lost the first one in Myanmar," the Brazilian added.
South China are one of the most successful clubs in Hong Kong and have won the Hong Kong Premier League 41 times.
For Bagan, young Goa midfielder Brandon Fernandes is sidelined for the entire season as he suffered a partial ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) tear.
Where to watch live
South China vs Mohun Bagan is scheduled to kick off at 5:30 p.m. IST (7:50 p.m. Singapore time), March 9.
Viewers in India can catch the game on Star Sports 4. Online streaming is available on starsports.com.
Viewers in Honk Kong 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.
