Two Indian Clubs, Gokulam Kerala FC and ATK Mohun Bagan begin their AFC Cup campaign by facing each other for the opening game of Group D in Kolkata.
The side from Kerala qualified for the competition by virtue of winning the I-league last season while the ISL representatives are featuring in the contest for the sixth time.
GKFC vs ATKMB AFC Cup 2022 Match Details :
Date: Wednesday, 18th April 2022
Time: 16:30 (IST)
Venue: Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata
GKFC vs ATKMB GKFC vs ATKMB AFC Cup 2022 Match Preview :
Gokulam Kerala FC became the first team to retain the I-league crown in the competition's history after beating Mohammedan Sporting 2-1 this weekend in a nail-biting conclusion to the season. The Malabarians needed a point on the last day to assure themselves as champions again after almost losing everything in a game prior, a 3-1 loss to Sreenidi Deccan, setting up a winners take all match with their nearest challenger. Gokulam were no new to such situations for they won the trophy in a similar fashion as in the previous campaign. Fresh from winning the league again, attention now turns to their maiden AFC Cup campaign in which they become the 13th club to represent the country in the competition. Manager Vincenzo Alberto Annese will look forward to carrying his team’s domestic success to the continental level, not shying to have a shot for this silverware as well. Recently, Indian clubs have performed strongly at the Asian competitions with FC Goa and later Mumbai City FC crafting memorable and historical nights for Indian football fans to be proud of. Earlier, Bengaluru FC also reached the final of the AFC Cup in 2016 so there is plenty of inspiration to take from. Gokulam faces a familiar foe from the nation in ATKMB in the curtain-raiser before locking horns with Maldivian club Maziya and lastly champions from Bangladesh, Basundhara Kings.
Unlike their counterparts making their debuts in the AFC Cup, ATK Mohun Bagan has a bag full of experience playing in this tournament. The Green and Maroons reached the Inter-zonal semifinals last term only to be obliterated by Uzbekistan club, FC Nasaf 6-0 at their turf. It was a crushing blow for ATKMB who were only one step away from the final if they won it. At that time the club entered the group stages directly. They began last year’s campaign facing another Indian club but this time a ISL prospect in Bengaluru FC. Maziya and Basundhara Kings made up the group as well. ATKMB started the current campaign in the preliminary rounds of the AFC Cup by finishing runners up in the 2021-22 ISL season. They swiftly brushed away the challenge of Blue Star from Sri Lanka and Abahani Dhaka, scoring seven goals in the two games and conceding only once. Last campaign, ATKMB registered seven points from three games at the group stages with Basundhara Kings only able to showcase a challenge. The Mariners are hoping to overturn their domestic league frustration by not making it to the final on the back of some lucrative addition to the squad. In the opening tie against Gokulam, they will undoubtedly be favourites to land the three points but the I-league champions are not here just to make up the numbers. It will be an exciting battle to watch.
Recent Form (All Competitions)
GKFC: WLWWD
ATKMB: WWWLL
GKFC vs ATKMB AFC Cup 2022 Team News
Gokulam had Sharif Mukhammad suspended for the I-league title decider but he will be available for this continental affair. Vincenzo have a fully fit squad to choose his best eleven from.
Sandesh Jhingan is absent for this game after suffering an injury in the practice game leading upto the clash. ATKMB missed the service of star striker Roy Krishna in the preliminary rounds of the AFC Cup last month due to his hamstring injury at the end of the ISL season and for personal reasons. The Fijian is back fit and is in contention to start. His return is unlikely to displace David Williams from the starting eleven as the Aussie has bagged four goals in the previous round including a hat-trick in the last game against Abahani Dhaka. There is no other injury concern in the squad except Michael Soosairaj.
GKFC vs ATKMB AFC Cup 2022 Expected Lineups
GKFC: Rakshit Dagar; Mohammed Jasim, Alex Saji, Aminou Bouba, Muhammad Uvais, Emil Benny, Sharif Mukhammad, Jithin, Thahir Zaman, Fletcher, Luka Majcen
ATKMB: Amrinder Singh, Prabir Das, Pritam Kotal, Tiri, Subhasish Bose, Joni Kauko, Deepak Tangri, Hugo Boumous, Manvir Singh, Roy Krishna, David Williams
GKFC vs ATKMB AFC Cup 2022 Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Amrinder (8.5)
DEF: Prabir (8.5), Tiri (8.5), Bouba (9), Uvais (8.5)
MID: Boumous (9.5), Kauko (9), Benny (9)
FW: Majcen (9), Fletcher (9.5), Williams (9.5)
Stay tuned to Fantasy Football for upcoming matches.
