Kolkata: In a contrasting scenario the two top football clubs of the country has a different view towards the AFC Cup. Federation Cup champions Mohun Bagan bowed out of the continental competition while the I-League champions Bengaluru FC became the fourth Indian club to make it to the last eight. The result was expected as both clubs went into the match with a different approach and intensity.
I-League champions Bengaluru FC, playing with a near full strength squad notched up an impressive 3-2 victory against Hong Kong side Kitchee SC away from home, while Federation Cup winners Mohun Bagan went down 2-1 against Singapore side Tampines Rovers at Guwahati.
The Kolkata giants on the other hand went into the match with almost a second string squad with regular first team players missing out due to various reasons. Star striker Sony Norde had to leave India to take part in Haiti’s preparatory camp ahead of the centenary Copa America, while stand-in captain Yusa Katsumi picked up an injury during the Federation Cup final. To make matters worse for the Mariners, India Internationals Pritam Kotal and Pronay Halder also missed out due to injuries. But it is learnt that Mohun Bagan officials were relieved to see the team making an exit from the AFC Cup.
According to sources the Mohun Bagan officials did not wanted to play in the AFC Cup quarter-finals in September due to some vague reasons. The sponsor less Federation Cup champions is suffering from a huge financial crisis due to which the player payments are not yet cleared even after the end of season.
Another reason that may have influenced the Bagan officials to not take the AFC Cup knock out matches seriously was the venue problem. The Guwahati Stadium will not be available in September as the ISL franchise North East United FC will take over the charge of the stadium for the ISL 3. With Salt Lake stadium too booked for ISL and stadiums in Siliguri and Barasat not fulfilling the AFC criteria, it will be a headache for the officials to host the quarter final match.
Last but not the least, the Mariners will be without the services of their main stream players as they will join their respective franchisees and would not be available to play in the AFC Cup.
On the other hand if we consider Bengaluru FC, their mentality is totally different. Bengaluru FC footballers like Mohun Bagan players will be with the different ISL franchisees for the pre-season training. But the attitude of the Bengaluru FC officials is completely different from the Bagan management.
Parth Jindal, CEO of Bengaluru FC came in full support of the Blues ahead of the quarter finals of the AFC Cup. On being asked by a fan forum whether the players will be available for the AFC Cup quarter final as it clashes with the pre-season of ISL, he assured them he will try his level best to have the best available team.
It is refreshing as well a rare moment in football, as unlike Executives, who usually are known for their trait of being withdrawn, Jindal has blatantly thrown his weight behind the BFC players and given assurance to the fans saying the players will be available for the AFC Cup quarter-final game. Such is the professionalism of the Bangalore based club, that it has a clause in each and every players contracts, which bars them from playing somewhere else.
The I League champions do not have to deal with the problems regarding the availability of football stadium as the match can be played at Kanteerava stadium.
It does goes to show Bengaluru FC officials is giving a lot more importance to an International tournament like AFC Cup where a country’s reputation is at stake. With a professional set up and like minded enthusiastic people in the management , it does augur well for the Bangalore based club. We can hope for more glories coming in the way of Bengaluru FC in near future.