Road to AFC Cup is now tough says Mujthaba 

Club Valencia boss Ahmed Mujthaba says qualifying for the group stage of AFC Cup is now very difficult as his side failed to win against Mohun Bagan at home yesterday. Valencia came from behind to draw the match against Indian powerhouse Mohun Bagan with a score of one goal each. 

Speaking after the match, Mujthaba said that the result was not what his side expected.

“This is not the result I expected. I was expecting for straight three points but at the end we have to manage with just a point”. 

Mohun Bagan took just six minutes to break the deadlock through Darryl Duffy but a second half penalty scored by Godfrey West Omodu earned the hosts a draw. 

Mujthaba believes the road to AFC Cup has now been difficult but, he still hopes his side can make a comeback in the second leg. The second leg between Valencia and Mohun Bagan will be played at Rabindra Sarobar Stadium, Kolkata on 28th February. 

Meanwhile, Mohun Bagan Assiatant Coach Sankarlal Chakraborty showed his satisfaction over the result despite failing to secure all three points. 

“My team has played good football. They created so many chances, but somehow we couldn’t score”

“An away point is good enough for us”. 

Mohun Bagan, has rested six key players for the tie against Valencia. Coach Sanjoy Sen too hasn’t travelled. Haiti international Sony Norde and striker Jeje Lalpekhlua are among those who haven’t travelled for this tie. 

When asked about featuring the rested players in the home match against Valencia next week, Sankarlal said it will be decided after the final trainings ahead of the second leg.

The winner of the playoff match will qualify to the group stage (Group E) of the AFC Cup 2017 to join defending runners-up Bengaluru FC, India; Dhivehi Premier League Champions Maziya S&RC, and Dhaka Abahani, of Bangladesh.

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