Tag: MBSG

Time for the national team show : CAFA Nations Cup ’25

The 2025 CAFA Nations Cup will be the second edition of the tournament organised by the Central Asian Football Association (CAFA) cohosted by Tajikistan and Uzbekistan from August 29 to September 8. India has been announced as the guest team, featuring in Group B with Tajikistan, Iran and Afghanistan. The participant nations of Group A are Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Oman. Iran won the first edition of the CAFA Nations Cup in 2023.

Different ground and environmental conditions, battle against teams with players of strong built-up, new national coach of Indian origin (Khalid Jamil) with fresh strategy – altogether it’s obviously going to be an exciting international exposure for the Blue Tigers. Hope, the boys would perform well and hold our tricolour high. India will take on host nation Tajikistan tomorrow (Aug 29), while the inaugural match will be between Afghanistan and defending champion Iran. This time, the Indian squad have no members from Mohun Bagan though. Let’s have a quick look at the full squad and the group stage fixtures (as per IST) of Group B.

Meme courtesy: AIFF official page

Remembering the legendary Gostha Pal on his 129th birth anniversary (20 August 1896 – 8 April 1976)

Gostha Behari Pal, or simply Gostha Pal, also known as the “Great Wall of China” was a legendary Indian footballer who played a significant role in popularizing football in India during the early 20th century. His association with Mohun Bagan AC was the most significant phase of his football career, where he played for nearly two decades. He also took part in club’s cricket, hockey and tennis.

Key Achievements with Mohun Bagan:

  • Captaincy: He was appointed the captain of Mohun Bagan in 1921 and held the position for six consecutive years, leading the team to the finals of the Rovers Cup in 1923, being the first Indian side to achieve the feat. He led Mohun Bagan to the finals of the India Football Association Shield too for the second time in the same year.
  • Impact: Gostha Pal played barefooted throughout his entire career and that too in the British colonial era. Such a gutsy and robust defender was he on the pitch, that even all the booted British regimented teams, as well as, the foreign visiting teams found him the toughest nut to crack. Off the pitch, he was the guardian to his younger teammates and players of the new generation. He became a prominent face of the Indian freedom movement against the tyrant British through his sporting prowess. His dedication and passion towards Mohun Bagan was just unparalleled. He was associated with several activities of the club till his last day.

Legacy:

  • Padma Shri: Pal was awarded the Padma Shri in 1962, becoming the first footballer in India to receive the honour.
  • Postage Stamp: A postage stamp was dedicated to him by India Post in 1998, recognizing his contributions to Indian football.
  • Statue: A life-size statue of Pal was erected at Kolkata Maidan in 1984, opposite Eden Gardens, to honour his legacy.
  • Mohun Bagan Ratna: He was posthumously awarded the prestigious Mohun Bagan Ratna in 2004, the club’s accolade of highest order.
  • The main road where our maidan club tent of Mohun Bagan AC and the main entrance of the Eden Gardens are located is also named after him as Gostha Pal Sarani.
  • Gostha Pal is still revered as a football icon in India, and his towering legacy continues to inspire aspiring footballers.

Mohun Bagan in Group C of ACL2

AFC Champions League Two Draw

Mohun Bagan has been drawn into Group C of the AFC Champions League Two ‘2025–26, Asia’s second-tier club competition.

The other three contenders of the group are:

    • Sepahan SC (Iran) – Persian Gulf Pro League runners-up

    • Al Hussein SC (Jordan) – Jordanian Pro League champions

    • Ahal FC (Turkmenistan) – Yokary Liga runners-up.

The draw took place in Kuala Lumpur on 15th August, adding a poetic layer to the club’s historic foundation day and nation’s independence day.

Here are the group game fixtures of Mohun Bagan in ACL2 as per the latest updates available from AFC.

Meme courtesy: MBSG Official Media and AFC