Abahani, MSC lock horns today

Domestic giants Dhaka Abahani Limited and Dhaka Mohammedan Sporting Club lock horns today at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in their last encounter of the Citycell Bangladesh league when the country gripped by the World Cup fever. The match will kick off at 4pm.
Today’s match has only an academic interest as the prime attraction of the league championship is already over with Dhaka Abahani Limited lifting the crown with one match in hand. On the other hand Dhaka Mohammedan Sporting also retained the runners-up position.
But whenever there is a clash of two soccer heavyweights, the rival team’s supporters are always looking forward to have a positive result to their favour.
The two giants are eagerly waiting to take the challenge, as the coaches and the captains of both sides said, “It will be a combat of different type, as the rival camps always take it as a prestige issue for them.”
Although, the coaches and their boys are confident to present an attractive and a competitive match but neither Abahani nor Mohammedan have shown their footballing skills or beauty in the season’s most of the matches. 
Mohammedans, last year’s runners up and also this year’s favourites to win the maiden title before faltering to Sheikh Russel KC, Farashganj and Beani Bazar Sylhet in the first-leg. So the traditional black and whites at least looking for some solace by winning today’s match.
This year, Abahani promised to steal the show and to justify their admirable records of success.  That is a feat as remarkable as a historic one, as coach Amolesh Sen said, “We want to win the match against Mohammedan to extend our unbeaten streak.”
“No matter, this match is less important as the championship matter is concerned. But you see there would be high emotions and excitement  would be there as no other match could generate high-excitement or tension,” Amolesh said.
“Mohammedan, might be demoralised not to have the championship but they would not leave any stone unturned to win the match to have some solace of losing the championship, my boys are also ready to take the challenge,’ Amolesh revealed.
Mohammed Ponir, counterpart of Amolesh Sen, also stated same address about the importance of today’s game. “Now actually Mohammedan have nothing to lose but to win this match to gain some pride and some satisfaction by defeating Abahani.”
“The victory or lose in the Abahani-Mohammedan match is always a prestigious issue, so none of them want to lose their prestige match and now its now a big challenge although the championship has already been decided,” Ponir said.
“Mohammedan will try to get at least some honour defeating Abahani and boys are also ready to take the challenge,” former national star and also the custodian of the Mohammedan Sporting Club, who took the charge after head coach Maruful Haque resigned from the post, said. 
Both the captains of Abahani and Mohammedan, Biplob and Waly Faisal respectively remained upbeat about victory in today’s match.
Biplob, custodian and the captain of Abahani said, “To prove ourselves as the best side, we will have to win the match, as it’s a prestigious encounter also.”
Waly Faysal, who was playing his first season for Mohammedans, said, “We want to present something to our officials and fans, as we failed in the league.”
“It would recover some pain of losing the championship, if we would be able to win the match, players are motivated to do the job.”
It is unknown who is going to smile at the end but a large number of spectators would expect a good soccer from the country’s top sides.
 
Courtesy of The Independent