xtratime Logo

Xtra Time Web Desk: ATK Mohun Bagan’s new signing, Finnish midfielder Joni Kauko got down to training along with Head Coach Antonio Lopez Habas in Kolkata on Tuesday ahead of the AFC Cup next month. Fresh from his exploits in Euro Cup, Kauko was the main attraction at the Mariner’s practice session. The 30-year-old was part of Finland's squad in the Euro 2020 last month and came in as a substitute in all the Group B games with a total match time of 57 minutes.

Kauko was seen doing some physical training in their first camp of the season that began at the practice ground near the Saltlake Stadium. Green and Maroon’s another high profile signing, French midfielder Hugo Boumous, who came late last night, was given rest as he's expected to join the training on Wednesday. Boumous played a key role in Mumbai City FC's title winning campaign last season as the midfielder is seen as one of the best foreign players of the ISL.

The preparatory camp lasting about one and half hour saw almost all the Indian players including their top signings this season Liston Colaco and Amrinder Singh as the likes of Arindam Bhattacharya, Manvir Singh, Pritam Kotal and Subhasish Bose too were present.

The Mariners will take on the winners of Bengaluru FC and Maldives' Club Eagles in their AFC Cup Group D (South Zone) match in Maldives on August 18. Maldives' Maziya Sports & Recreation and Bashundhara Kings of Bangladesh are the other two teams in Group D.

The group toppers will qualify for the single-leg inter-zonal semi-final.