Gearing up for their I-League decider against Aizawl FC, a second string Mohun Bagan lost 0 -1 to Maldives Maziya Sports and Recreation Club in an AFC Cup group E clash at Rabindra Sarobar Stadium, here today.
Mohamed Umair scored the winner in the 34th minute against the run of play to hand them their second win from three matches and climb to second place behind Bengaluru FC with six points.
Mohun Bagan remained on third spot with three points from three matches. Umair found the far post as Kingshuk Debnath was nowhere in sight to stop the surging midfielder.
With all of their resources are concerned towards the title-deciding I-League game on April 22 against Aizawl FC, Mohun Bagan made 10 changes from their in an all-Indian line- up.
Only Jeje Lalpekhlua made the start from their 0-1 win at Minerva Punjab FC in their last match in I-League.
The second string Mohun Bagan looked to take the lead in the 14th minute but the woodwork came to the rescue of the champions of 2016 Dhivehi Premier League and Maldivian FA Charity Shield winners.
It was Balwant Singh, whose shot was tipped over by custodian Pavel Matiash.
The Maldives outfit were reduced to 10 players after Milos Kovacevic got his second booking within four minutes bringing down Azharuddin Mallick.
Mohun Bagan brought on their Japanese star midfielder Katsumi Yusa in the 73rd minute when he replaced Shouvik Ghosh but there was not much of difference to the scoreline.
Mohun Bagan had another chance in the fourth minute of stoppage time but that too went abegging with Balwant's header being off-target.
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content
