KOLKATA: With Indian football reeling under a Fifa ban, ATK Mohun Bagan have suddenly found themselves as a victim of circumstances. Juan Ferrando's side is preparing for the season-opening Durand Cup where they will start their campaign against I-League outfit Rajasthan United FC on Saturday. But it's their bigger ambition of conquering a continental goal which has now plunged into uncertainty.
ATKMB are slated to host the AFC Cup inter-zonal semifinal at the Salt Lake Stadium on September 7, where they will take on the winners between Kuala Lumpur City FC and Indonesia's PSM Makassar. ATKMB suffered a humiliating 0-6 at the hands of Uzbekistan's FC Nasaf at the same stage of the continent's second-most important club tournament a year ago. But playing at home and in front of fans this time around, Ferrando's team is tipped to be in for making a bigger splash in the continental competition.
