Brothers Union will be looking to upset the record books when they take on treble winners Sheikh Russell today in the first semi-final of the third edition of the
cash-rich Super Cup at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.
The last four clash will kick off at 6:00pm as state-owned Bangladesh Television will telecast the match live.
Despite failing to make it through to the semi-finals of the Federation Cup and Independence Cup and narrowly avoiding relegation in the recently concluded Bangladesh Premier League, Brothers are nonetheless dreaming big.
The Gopibagh-based outfit confirmed their last four berth after upstaging Team BJMC and managing draws against superior opponents like Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club Limited and group champions Mohammedan Sporting Club Limited.
Buoyed by some exciting young players, Brothers will take part in their second semi-final of the Super Cup after reaching the last four in the inaugural meet four years ago.
Head coach of the Orange outfit, Mahidur Rahman Miraz said that his team were actually targeting Russell in the last four before disclosing that they had forged together a strategy against the treble-winning side.
‘We actually wanted Sheikh Russell in the semi-final because we have reserved some special game plans against them,’ said Miraz in the official pre-match press conference at the Bangladesh Football Federation House on Thursday.
‘If the boys can perform accordingly like they played in the last three matches, then we can hope to reach the final.’
‘After qualifying for the Super Cup as the last team, we have nothing to lose at this stage but we are committed to bring back some past glory of Brothers. Our first target was to advance to the semi-final which has been fulfilled and we are still in the right direction,’ said Miraz.
Brothers will depend heavily on young hitman Jewel Rana who has scored three goals in the competition. They will also look to winger Yusuf Sifat, Rubel Miah, Komol Islam and Mahbubur Rahman Titu for spirited displays.
Russell on the other hand, who have already claimed the Federation Cup, Independence Cup and the Bangladesh Premier League this season, are on the threshold of a historic quadruple.
Head coach Maruful Haque is however not ready to under-estimate Russell’s semi-final opponents.
‘We want to maintain the consistency that we had displayed throughout the season and ensure our place in the final of the Super Cup,’ said Maruful.
‘They [Brothers] deserve this last four spot but we are ready to face them.’
‘We have a slight weakness with our backline but there is nothing to be worried about. I will have a few difficulties putting together the line-up and I will work on it today [Thursday],’ said the highly successful coach.
-With New Age input
