Mohun Bagan Super Giant’s shaky run of form continued as the Indian Super League champions suffered a narrow 0-1 defeat to Turkmenistan’s Ahal FK in their AFC Champions League 2 clash at Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata, on Tuesday, September 16, 2025.
Despite a strong crowd of 41,003 fans, the home side failed to break down their organized opponents. The decisive moment came in the 83rd minute when Enver Annayev, a substitute for Ahal, fired a precise strike into the far post to silence the home support.
Earlier, Magtymberdi Berenov came close twice for the visitors—his first-half effort grazed the upright, while his long-range shot in the 57th minute forced Vishal Kaith into a superb save. Ahal’s strategy, built around national team regulars and no foreign signings, was executed flawlessly by coach Eziz Annamuhammedov. They dominated possession (57%), registered 12 shots with five on target, and completed 506 passes compared to Mohun Bagan’s 377.
The Kolkata giants, who also lost their previous match to East Bengal in the Durand Cup, looked far from their best. Their attack struggled as Liston Colaco was neutralized on the wing, while defensive frailties continued to show. Despite boasting international stars like Jason Cummings and Jamie Maclaren, Bagan created only one clear chance, which was saved brilliantly by goalkeeper Berdiyev Kakageldi in the 69th minute.
Head coach Jose Molina switched formations in the second half, moving from a 4-2-3-1 to a 4-4-2 setup, but the change failed to spark a turnaround. Sahal Abdul Samad missed a golden opportunity late in the game, dragging his shot wide after a neat pass from Robson Robinho.
This result adds pressure ahead of Mohun Bagan’s upcoming away fixtures against Iranian side Sepahan and Jordan Pro League champions Al Hussein. With both teams in strong form, the ISL winners face an uphill battle to revive their continental campaign.
For Ahal FK, the win marks another statement of intent in Asian football, proving that disciplined team play and tactical awareness can overcome star-studded opponents.
