Abahani take on SL Army today

Dhaka Abahani will be looking to start their AFC President’s Cup campaign with a win when they take on Sri Lanka Army team in the inaugural match of Group B at the Bangabandhu National Stadium at 6:00pm today.
Sri Lanka Army, playing for the first time in any AFC affiliated competition, however, vowed to fight hard in their quest for a victory. But they admitted Abahani are favourites in the match. A win is very important for both the teams as they have to play higher ranked Ashgabat in their next encounters.
Abahani will be trying not to repeat the mistakes they made in the last edition of the AFC President’s Cup when they lost to Nepal and Regar Tadaz. Playing on home ground will be an added advantage for Abahani.
Experience can make the difference in the match. Abahani’s local and foreign recruits have been together for more than two years and they are raring to go.
National keeper Biplob is the reliable name of Abahani while defenders Wali Faisal and Nazrul, midfielders Zahed Parvez Chowdhury and Abul will be threatening for the opponents. The Ghanaian duo – defender Samad Yousif and forward Awudu Ibrahim – will be leading Abahani’s defence and attacks. Emily is expected to take to the field after being sidelined with a hamstring injury for the last two months.
Abahani manger, Satyajit Das Rupu, however, was respectful of their opponents. ‘I don’t want to lose the battle by being overconfident, we are determined to win the match.
‘We are ready to face the challenge and definitely Ashgabat are a stronger side than the Sri Lankan Army. The match will give us the opportunity to hone our skills before taking on the Turkmenistan champions,’ said Rupu.
The Sri Lankan outfit got a chance to adapt to the new conditions as they practised at the match venue on Monday. The coach, Major S Pathmanathan, was ready to put up a fight with all of his resources.
‘We are newcomers here but that doesn’t mean we don’t have the will to win. Abahani are a strong team but my team will be ready to take up the challenge,’ said the coach.
MNM Ishadeen, the ace forward, will be the key man in the Sri Lanka Army attack while defender KWS Danushka Wijesiri will be the man in charge to protect the fort.
Centre-forward KPJD Perera and midfielder SM Fawmy are the other two dependable names in the Sri Lanka Army outfit.

Courtesy of NewAgebd