When Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG) step out for their first group stage match of the AFC Champions League Two (ACL2) 2025/26, they will carry both the pride of Kolkata and the weight of a stinging memory from last season.
Twelve months ago, the Mariners’ campaign ended in controversy disqualification after refusing to travel to Iran for a fixture, citing security concerns. The Asian Football Confederation’s ruling to void all their results was a harsh reminder that continental football demands not only sporting quality but the ability to navigate complex off-field realities. Now, the ISL Shield and Cup winners are back with a point to prove.
MBSG earned direct entry to the ACL2 group stage as 2024/25 Indian Super League Shield champions, finishing the league phase with an imposing 56 points from 24 games: 17 wins, 5 draws, just 2 defeats. The title was not a solitary piece of silverware; they went on to lift the ISL Cup as well, completing a rare domestic double. A goal difference of +31, 47 scored, and only 16 conceded tells its own story — this is a side built on a solid defensive spine and efficient attacking play.
The Durand Cup 2025 offered further proof of their sharpness, with a 5–1 hammering of Diamond Harbour FC underlining their ruthlessness.
The Molina Era Begins
The club’s recent managerial change adds intrigue. Spanish coach José Francisco Molina is at the helm, succeeding Antonio López Habas. Habas’ hallmark was defensive discipline his teams were notoriously hard to break down, with even forwards drilled to press and track. Molina inherits that structure but may be tempted to introduce more expansive play.
His squad is well-balanced. Up front, Jamie Maclaren (12 goals in 25 matches) leads the line with deadly movement. Jason Cummings brings creativity (7 goals, 7 assists), while Greg Stewart and Dimitri Petratos add guile in the final third. At the back, Vishal Kaith remains one of India’s best goalkeepers, his 15 clean sheets last season testament to his command.
Group C – A Challenging Mix
MBSG’s route to the knockouts runs through Sepahan SC (Iran), Al Hussein SC (Jordan) and Ahal FC (Turkmenistan).
- Sepahan SC: Iranian football royalty, five league titles, five Hazfi Cups, and a 2007 AFC Champions League final appearance. Second in the Persian Gulf Pro League last season, they bring a potent attack through Mehdi Lamouchi and Mohammadmehdi Mohebi. Under Moharram Navidkia, they operate a 4-2-3-1 that balances stability with creative midfield play. For MBSG, shutting down Sepahan’s central channels will be key.
- Al Hussein SC: Back-to-back Jordanian champions with an extraordinary defensive record — only six goals conceded in the 2023/24 season. Managed by Portuguese coach Quim Machado, they deploy a 4-3-3 that is disciplined rather than reckless, with Brazilian defender Pedro Henrique marshalling the backline and Luis Kacorri providing attacking spark. Patience will be essential for Bagan to break them down.
- Ahal FC: The reigning physical specialists of Turkmenistan. No foreigners, all homegrown, four national team players. They play intense, pressing football with an eye for the quick break. For a side like MBSG that enjoys measured buildup, coping with Ahal’s harassment and physical duels will be a test of concentration.
Redemption and Reality
The disqualification episode from last season casts a shadow, but also provides motivation. The Mariners have a squad capable of progression experience in defence, creativity in midfield, goals in attack. But the margins are thin in a group where even small mistakes can swing the table. Their home games at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan will be crucial. Under floodlights in Kolkata, with 60,000 voices behind them, MBSG can intimidate visiting sides unused to such atmospheres. Away, they must manage travel, climate shifts, and tactical flexibility.
If Molina blends Bagan’s defensive steel with a sharper attacking edge, they can qualify. Sepahan are group favourites, Al Hussein a defensive wall, Ahal an unpredictable disruptor. MBSG’s best route? Win all home games and target draws away from Iran and Jordan. It’s a tough ask but for a club with their history and following, the script demands nothing less than a deep run.
