AFC Cup 2017: Bengaluru FC and Mohun Bagan pitted in same group

Bengaluru, Mar 1: Indian football giants Bengaluru FC and Mohun Bagan have been drawn in the same group (Group E) in the AFC Cup 2017.

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Bengaluru FC being the I-League champions were in the fray of AFC Champions League, but they lost to Jordan's Al Wehdat in the one-off knockout game and were sent back to AFC Cup group stage.

Mohun Bagan, by virtue of winning the Federation Cup last season, were pitted in the AFC Cup playoff games. They defeated Sri Lanka's Colombo FC and Maldives' Club Valencia to qualify for the group stage.

The two Indian giants share a bitter-sweet relationship and their rivalry will reach a whole new level due to the AFC Cup draw.

Bengaluru host Mohun Bagan in the opening match of Group E on March 14, while the Green and Maroon gets to play their home tie on May 17.

Due to change in the format of the tournament, Only one out of these teams will qualify for the knock-out stage in AFC Cup 2017.

Bengaluru FC are the runner-up of 2016 edition. They had a dream run last season beating some of the best teams and creating history to become first Indian side to reach the finals of the tournament.

Unfortunately, their fairytale ended in the last lap when they suffered a 0-1 defeat to Iraq's Airforce Club.

Mohun Bagan, who reached the round of 16 stage last season would definitely eye bettering their record in the continental competition.

While Mohun Bagan is yet to be defeated this season in any competition, Bengaluru FC are going winless in their last 8 matches, (7 I-League, 1 AFC Champions League matches).

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