Mohun Bagan Super Giant, one of India's most storied football clubs, faces a daunting challenge in the upcoming AFC Champions League Two 2024-25 season. The Mariners, as they are affectionately known, have been drawn into Group A, where they will compete against some of the most competitive teams from Asia's footballing powerhouses. This group stage draw has pitted them against Qatar’s Al-Wakrah SC, Iran’s Tractor FC, and Tajikistan’s Ravshan Kulob, all formidable adversaries with rich footballing traditions.
The AFC Champions League Two, which was previously known as the AFC Cup, has undergone a rebranding to elevate its status within the continent. This tournament now serves as Asia's secondary club competition, just below the prestigious AFC Champions League. Mohun Bagan secured their place in this revamped tournament by winning the Indian Super League Shield last season, a testament to their domestic dominance.
In the group stage, each of the 32 clubs will play in a round-robin home-and-away format, providing fans with a series of thrilling encounters. The matches will be held between September 17 and December 5, 2024. The stakes are high as only the top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stages, which will commence with the round of 16 in February 2025. The tournament's progression will continue with the quarter-finals in March, the semi-finals in April, and culminate in the grand final on May 17, 2025.
Al-Wakrah SC, one of Mohun Bagan's group stage opponents, qualified for the AFC Champions League Two by finishing fourth in the fiercely competitive Qatar Stars League. Known for their disciplined defense and tactical prowess, Al-Wakrah will be a stern test for the Indian club. Tractor FC, another powerhouse in the group, hails from Iran's Persian Gulf Pro League, where they also finished fourth. Tractor's history in Asian competitions and their passionate fanbase make them a formidable opponent. The third team, Ravshan Kulob, qualified after finishing as runners-up in the 2023 Tajikistan Higher League. Despite being lesser-known on the international stage, Ravshan’s rise in recent years signals that they cannot be underestimated.
Mohun Bagan’s previous continental campaign in the 2023-24 AFC Cup ended in disappointment, as they finished third in their group, failing to progress to the knockout stages. The Mariners were grouped alongside Odisha FC, another Indian club that topped the group and advanced further. This time around, Mohun Bagan will be keen to make amends and advance beyond the group stage, which would mark a significant achievement for Indian football on the continental stage.
The AFC Champions League Two represents an opportunity for Mohun Bagan to test their mettle against some of Asia's best clubs. It is also a chance for the Mariners to showcase the growth of Indian football, particularly as the ISL continues to elevate the sport's profile in the country. With the stakes high and the opposition fierce, the group stage promises to be a thrilling chapter in Mohun Bagan's storied history.
As the group stage approaches, anticipation among the club’s supporters is palpable. The Mariners’ performance in this prestigious tournament could well determine their place in the annals of Indian football. With a strong squad and a rich heritage, Mohun Bagan Super Giant will look to navigate these challenging waters and make a deep run in the AFC Champions League Two.
