Annayev struck the winner for the visiting side.
| Photo Credit: DEBASISH BHADURI
Mohun Bagan Super Giant failed to rise to expectations as it went down by a solitary goal to Turkmenistan side Ahal FK in the opening Group-C fixture of the AFC Champions League 2 at the Salt Lake Stadium here on Tuesday.
Substitute Enver Annayev found the winner for Ahal in the 83rd minute as the visitor wrapped up the full points to leave the home team stunned.
Mohun Bagan, the Indian Super League double crown winner, struggled for form and direction and eventually paid the price for its inconsistent performance. On the other hand Ahal showed a more cohesive and disciplined approach, and walked away as the deserving winner.
Mohun Bagan could barely reproduce the sharpness and fluidity in its attack that fetched it the ISL League Shield and the Cup a few months ago. The home team appeared to be underprepared for the occasion as its head coach Jose Molina chose to keep a number of his first-choice options on the bench, which contributed to its moderate showing for the greater part of the action.
Molina did bring up some changes near the hour mark but that was not enough to alter the scoreline in favour of the home side. Instead, Ahal gained from a couple of late introductions in its attack as substitutes Bashim Gurbanberdiyev and Annayev combined well to bring up the decisive goal.
The result: Mohun Bagan SG 0 lost to Ahal FK 1 (Enver Annayev 83).
Published – September 16, 2025 10:36 pm IST
