Gokulam Kerala need a win and favour from ATKMB to advance to AFC Cup knock-outs

ATK Mohun Bagan have the momentum but Gokulam Kerala can bounce back from their last match defeat and qualify for the AFC Cup knock-out stage in their maiden appearance when the two Indian clubs face their respective opponents on Tuesday. All the four teams in Group D -- ATKMB, Gokulam, Bashundhara Kings of Bangladesh and Maziya Sports & Recreation of Maldives -- are currently on three points each after a win and a loss apiece. I-League champions Gokulam play Bashundhara in the first match (4:30pm) on Tuesday, while Indian Super League side ATKMB will face Maziya in the second game (8:30pm), both at Salt Lake Stadium.

One of the two winning teams from Tuesday's two matches will qualify for the Inter-zone play-off semi-finals from South Asia Zone. ATKMB lost 2-4 to Gokulam in their opening match but bounced back with a 4-0 thrashing of Bashundhara Kings of Bangladesh. Gokulam, on the other hand, suffered a 0-1 defeat to Maziya in their second match on Saturday after their win over ATKMB in the opening game.

It's a complex permutation and combination but a win for Gokulam over Bashundhara will send ATKMB out of reckoning even if they beat Maziya later in the day. According to Tournament rules, if teams are on same points then head-to-head results will come into play to decide who advances from group stage and Gokulam had beaten ATKMB. ATKMB's fortunes depend on the first match on Tuesday and they have the luxury to know what they have to do as they play later on the day.