The qualification scenario for GKFC is simple, they need to beat the Kings and hope their Indian counterparts ATKMB doesn’t lose to Maziya.
Gokulam Kerala FC will take on Bashundhara Kings in their third round AFC Cup Group D fixture on Tuesday. The Malabarians are heading into the contest on the back of a 1-0 loss to Maziya S&RC on Saturday while the Bashundhara Kings suffered a humiliating 4-0 defeat against Indian super League (ISL) club ATK Mohun Bagan. All four teams in the group are locked on three points, having won one game each and therefore the third round of fixtures are finely poised with all four teams very much alive to make the knockouts. The qualification scenario for GKFC is simple, they need to beat the Kings and hope their Indian counterparts ATKMB doesn’t lose to Maziya.
All set to face @bkings_official ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/wRrjEpyati
— Gokulam Kerala FC (@GokulamKeralaFC) May 23, 2022
GKFC started their maiden continental campaign with a dominant 4-2 win over ISL giants ATKMB before going down narrowly to Maziya courtesy of Cornelius Stewart’s lone strike. The Maldivian outfit kept their shape, the back-four was disciplined and GKFC found it difficult to find a way through the defence. Vincenzo Alberto’s side struggled to find space in the attacking third. The likes of Emil Benny and Sharif Mukhammad will need to step up in order to overcome the Bangladeshi club on Tuesday. Since both sides will be going for the win, GKFC attackers are likely to get more space in the attacking third and striker Luka Majcen will shoulder the goal-scoring responsibilities.
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As for Bashundhara Kings, they opened the campaign with a 1-0 win over Maziya courtesy of Nuha Marong’s goal. But then lost to 4-0 ATKMB. Juan Ferrando’s side was too good for the Kings and they had no answer to ATKMB’s dominant performance. Liston Colaco netted a hat-trick while David Williams scored one at the Salt Lake stadium. The Kings’ defence was in sixes and sevens against the Mariners and they will need to be more solid against GKFC to earn a result.
Gokulam Kerala FC probable lineup: Rakshit Dagar, Abdul Hakku, Alex Saji, Bouba Aminou, Muhammad Uvais, Thahir Zaman, Rishad P, Sharif Mukhammad, Emil Benny, Jourdain Fletcher, Luka Majcen.
Bashundhara Kings possible lineup: Anisur Rahman, Tariq Kazi, Bishwanath Ghosh, Khaled Shafei, Yeasin Arafat, MD Rimon Hossain, Masuk Miah Zoni, Miguel Ferreira, Sohel Rana, Robson da Silva, Nuha Marong.
The AFC Cup group D fixture between Gokulam Kerala FC and Bashundhara kings will take place at the Salt Lake Stadium and it will kick off at 4:30 pm IST onTuesday, May 24.
The match will be live streamed on the Disney+Hotstar app and website. Meanwhile, football fans in India can also enjoy the action on Star Sports network