AFC Cup 2022: Gokulam Kerala boss Vincenzo Alberto Annese wary of Maziya ahead of crucial encounter | OneFootball

Gokulam Kerala FC head coach, Vincenzo Alberto Annese is not taking upcoming Group D opponents in the AFC Cup 2022, Maziya lightly despite cruising past Indian Super League (ISL) side, ATK Mohun Bagan in their opener on Wednesday, 18 May.

ATK Mohun Bagan went into the opening game as the favourites but Gokulam Kerala showed just why they are the defending I-League champions by thrashing them 4-2 with Luka Majcen putting on a masterclass by scoring a brace and registering one assist.

An opening day 0-1 defeat to Bangladesh’s Bashundhara Kings means another loss on Saturday will end Maziya’s hopes, and this Annese believes makes his opponents even more dangerous on the night.

“We will face a team who have rich experience in this competition. They have players who have stayed with the team for a long time and they have national players. We studied them, they have quality in the middle, they have good pace and they try to give a lot of trouble to defensive lines," he said in a press conference prior to the game.

The Malbarians win on Wednesday ensured that they currently top the Group D table with three points, ahead of Bashundhara Kings on goal difference and a win is important for them considering that only the table toppers will advance into the Inter-Zone semifinals.