Yangon: Coach Sanjoy Sen has urged Mohun Bagan to seek a fourth straight win in Group G of the AFC Cup ahead of the I-League side’s clash with Myanmar’s Yangon United on Wednesday.
The Indians have never qualified for the Round of 16 of the continental competition but have posted a perfect record to date after a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Yangon on Matchday Three followed up earlier wins over Maziya Sports & Recreation of the Maldives and Hong Kong’s South China.
And completing the double over the Myanmar National League champions at Youth Training Centre will now guarantee Mohun Bagan’s progression to the next phase with two games to spare.
“We need at least another win to secure our place, so we will be looking for that, but we will have to respect our opponents who are a very good team,” said Sen, whose team has not won in four games since defeating Wednesday’s opponents in March.
When they played against us [in the home leg] it was an even contest, which we won by 3-2, so I anticipate a tough and challenging match for us tomorrow. Three points away from home is always difficult, but that’s what we will go for.”
Yangon, meanwhile, currently occupy second place in Group G ahead of Maziya on goal difference, but have not won since their opening day 2-1 victory over South China in front of home support.
“In our first game against Mohun Bagan, we knew little about them, but I was very satisfied with my players, despite the result,” said Yangon coach Marjan Sekulovski.
“When you play away and score two goals at the very least we would have expected a point. But now we have more knowledge on Mohun Bagan and we will try our best tomorrow for a good result.”
Wednesday’s other Group G fixture sees 2015 quarter-finalists South China host Maziya at Mongkok Stadium still looking for their first points of the campaign after suffering a 2-1 reversal in the Maldives on Matchday Three.
“It is an important game for us tomorrow night and the players know that,” said South China coach Ricardo Rambo.
“We need to fight and try to qualify for the next round. Hopefully, we can put up a good performance for our supporters.”
Maziya, meanwhile, go into the tie knowing that a win would put them in a strong position to advance to the knockout phase for the first time.
“We want to qualify for the next round and that means we need to pick up either one point or three points from the game,” said coach Ali Suzain.
“I think we have a good chance of getting something out of the gametomorrow night.”
Photo: Lagardère Sports
Source: the-afc.com