Dhaka Abahani will be eying their first Federation Cup title in 10 years when they lock horns with newcomers Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club in the final of the Grameenphone Federation Cup at the Kamalapur stadium at 5:00pm today.
The sky-blue outfit, who won their last title in 2000, will take the trophy for the eighth time if they can overcome a strong Jamal, desperate to make their mark at the top flight with their first silverware.
Abahani ousted Brothers Union with a 1-0 win in the semifinal. Sheikh Jamal on the other hand survived a scare before storming into the final with a 1-0 win over Muktijoddha.
Abahani have relied on their Ghanaian quartet of forward Awudu Ibrahim, his attacking partner Twum Frank, defender Samad Youssif and midfielder Yusuf Aminu in the last few games and they certainly possess the bite to unsettle any opposition defence.
Sheikh Jamal have fielded only one foreign player in Serbian defender Dragan Perisic and depended heavily on the local strikers Emily, Zahid Hossain and Towhidul Alam Sobuj.
The tussle in the midfield will be a key factor with Pranatosh and Jitu carrying the Abahani torch while Mamunul Islam, Mishu and Shakil have the skills to break down Abahani defence.
Sheikh Jamal have the edge as their skipper Aminul is the number one goalkeeper of the country and he has shown a fine form from the very beginning and stands like a wall in front of the opponent attackers.
Both the teams have a good number of experienced players and will not lose their nerves in the title decider.
Abahani looked relaxed in their practice session at the club ground on Friday. Coach Ali Akbar Parmoslemi was advising his players to be cool and calm. ‘There is no reason to be worried or anxious, Abahani have not won the title after playing the final in the last two editions, after the Bordoloi Trophy title the players are all set to win another silverware,’ said the Iranian.
He also hoped that his players will avail the opportunities that come their way. ‘Missing goals are key factors of losing, I have told my boys to keep their cool and make it,’ said Parmoslemi.
Zoran Kralevic, the Serbian coach of Sheikh Jamal, doesn’t agree that the final will be a battle of strategies of the coaches. ‘My equation is simple, play attacking football, score goals and win the title, I am not thinking about the opponent, I know they are a good side, but I believe my team are yet to produce their best and the boys will play their best when it is required most in the final,’ said Kralevic.
He also said there is no pressure of being the new club in the block rather it is an added motivation.
