Two-time AFC Cup inter-zone semi-finalists Mohun Bagan Super Giant will aim to consolidate the top spot when they face Maziya Sports & Recreation of Maldives in a Group D South Zone AFC Cup fixture at the Salt Lake Stadium on Monday.

The ISL defending champions began their AFC Cup group campaign with a 4-0 rout of Odisha FC.

The Maldives outfit also won their opening round match — a 3-1 victory over Bashundhara Kings of Dhaka.

Mohun Bagan and Maziya both have three points each, but the Calcutta heavyweights lead group D with a better goal difference and the Juan Ferrando-coached outfit will look for another win to brighten their qualification hopes.

With only the South Zone group winners advancing to the Inter-Zone semi-finals, there will be no room for error in Group D, and Ferrando’s wards will look to continue their charge.

“This match is special because Maziya won their last game. We’ll try to do our best and get the three points. It’ll be an interesting match tomorrow and it won’t be easy, but we’ll fight for the three points,” Ferrando said at the pre-match news conference on Sunday.

Dimitri Petratos has been prolific up front for the Mariners, while Sahal Abdul Samad and Liston Colaco have also found their mojo, striking a goal each in their win over Odisha FC. The Mariners, who have assembled a star-studded side this season, have started to come on their own after winning the Durand Cup and the focus for Ferrando’s men will now be on to make the inter-zonal semis for a third time on the trot.

Mohun Bagan will come to the match on the back of a 1-0 win over Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League with Hugo Boumous scoring the winner. This was the defending champions’ second win in the tournament.