Turkmenistan’s Ahal upset ISL champs Bagan at home

Like in the Indian Super League (ISL) last term or the Asian Champions League 2 this season, Mohun Bagan Super Giant started with a stutter.

- Dhiman Sarkar [e-mail]

The ISL campaign, where Mohun Bagan began with one win from three matches, was repaired by head coach Jose Molina restructuring the lineup. Getting back on rails in Asia following Tuesday's 0-1 defeat to Ahal FK could need something similar.

Mohun Bagan's next two matches are away, to Iran's Sepahan, who finished second in the league in 2024-25, and Jordan Pro League champions Al Hussein. This looks like a mountain to climb.

The shot from Enver Annayev -- he had played for Turkmenistan's Arkadag when they beat East Bengal in the Challenge League -- that arrowed into the far post in the 83rd minute was the night's only goal but by then the visiting team had got Mohun Bagan's number.

Magtymberdi Berenov, whom Annayev replaced, had come close before that. His shot in the 31st minute, following a neat exchange of passes with Elman Tagayev and Hakmuhammet Bashimov, grazed the upright. When Berenov went again in the 57th minute, Vishal Kaith flew to his right to keep out the effort from range.