Kolkata, September 16: Mohun Bagan Super Giant kicked off their AFC Champions League Two 2025-26 campaign at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, facing Turkmenistan’s Ahal FC. In front of their 44,003 supporters, the Mariners looked to start strong in Asia’s second-tier continental competition. However, despite creating more openings, Mohun Bagan were wasteful in front of goal, while Ahal FC struck once in the second half to secure a 1-0 win.

The opening quarter was played out with attacking intent, but both teams failed to seriously trouble the goalkeepers. Mohun Bagan created a few chances inside the box through active moves from both flanks, but none carried a decisive result.

The best chance of the half fell to Ahal FC in the 32nd minute, when Annayev Gurban sent a long cross from the right flank. In the scramble inside the box, the ball took a deflection and hit the far post, causing a moment of real concern for the Mariners.

Beyond these moments, clear-cut opportunities were scarce. Mohun Bagan, despite registering more shots then their opponent, could not test the opposition goalkeeper with any attempt on target. Ahal FC, meanwhile, played withb 69% possession compared to Mohun Bagan’s 41%, but their lone shot on target was the only highlight of a half that ended goalless.

The second half saw more urgency from both sides, with chances opening up in quick succession. In the 57th minute, Berenov cut past two Mohun Bagan defenders inside the box and fired a shot, but Vishal Kaith was aleart to clear the danger.

Two minutes later, Maclaren found Cummings unmarked with a clever back minus pass, but the striker’s grounded effort from inside the box went wide, a miss that could have been taken better.

Mohun Bagan then launched a promising move in the 69th minute, with Cummings again at the heart of it. Driving into the box, he opted to square the ball to Maclaren instead of shooting himself, but the Australian forward missed a golden opportunity from close range.

In the 72nd minute, Robson Robinho was introduced for his Mohun Bagan debut, replacing Liston Colaco. Soon after, in the 82nd minute, Robson sent in a long through ball to Sahal Abdul Samad, who made his way into the box but shoot his effort wide, wasting another promising chance.

Ahal FC brings the lead immediately. In the 83rd minute, Annayev Enver struck a low shot that found the net at the far post, giving the visitors the decisive breakthrough.

In the end, the display from Mohun Bagan SG was far from their best. While it must be noted that the club refused to release several of their international players for the recent CAFA Nations Cup, this is still the result with which they kicked off their AFC Champions League Two campaign at home. Mohun Bagan SG will now look to bounce back when they travel to face Shepan FC on September 30.