The Hero Indian Super League's phase 1 that is the league phase came to end on Sunday, 28th February with two crucial matches, which included Mumbai City FC vs ATK Mohun Bagan for the top of the table, that also guarantees a spot in the group stages of AFC Champions League 2022.
Mumbai City FC came out victorious in that match over ATK Mohun Bagan with a 2-0 deficit with Mourtada Fall and Bartholomew Ogbeche on target for 'The Islanders' and guaranteed themselves the AFC Champions League spot.
Before the match on Sunday, ATK Mohun Bagan were on top of the league table and just needed a draw to confirm their slot in the AFC Champions League but they failed in their mission.
But, even though one door has closed for the mariners, there is one still open, though that is a tough one. But with the squad that ATK Mohun Bagan has, mariners are hopeful that they can do it.
So here's how ATK Mohun Bagan can still play in the AFC Champions League 2022, the same edition in which Mumbai City FC will play.
Here's How ATK Mohun Bagan Can Still Play AFC Champions League
ATK Mohun Bagan this season will be playing in Asia's 2nd tier competition AFC Cup this season after the Indian Super League is over. And as per the rules of AFC, the team that wins the AFC Cup will qualify for the AFC Champions League.
But there is a catch, the AFC Cup champion can play directly in the group stage if the team has qualified for the AFC Champions League slot from their domestic league, and if not, then they will have to first go through the qualifying rounds to make it to the group stages.
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So in this case, ATK Mohun Bagan have failed to qualify for the AFC Champions League directly from the domestic league, therefore, if ATK Mohun Bagan manages to win the AFC Cup this season, they will first play in the AFC Champions League qualifying rounds, and if they manage to win that match, they will qualify for the AFC Champions League group stage.
Though it is a tough route, but all is not over yet for the mariners, and they can still hope that ATK Mohun Bagan, the green and maroon brigade will win the AFC Cup and qualify for the AFC Champions League.
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