SUPER CUP FINAL
MSC look to end title draught
Russell chase unprecedented quadruple
Mohammedan Sporting Club will look to end their four-year long trophy drought when they face quadruple-hunting Sheikh Russell KC in the Grameenphone Super Cup final on Tuesday.
The popular black-and-white outfit last won any silverware in the Federation Cup-2009 and has since made just one final in the last edition of this Super Cup two years ago.
The internal feud between the officials and lack of fund took a heavy toll on the side, which finished fifth in the league this season and were eliminated from the semi-final stage of the two other tournaments.
However, the decision of not allowing any foreign players in the Super Cup, a tournament which they were initially reluctant to play, seemed to have acted as a tonic for Mohammedan.
With a spirited performance from their young players Mohammedan turned the form book upside down to book their place in the final ahead of some other sides, which were better on paper.
The success of Mohammedan gave the tournament also a perfect boost as fans returned to the gallery after many days making it a lively contest.
The performance of young strikers like Mobarak and Wahed gave the supporters some hope despite their opponents having many national players at their disposal.
‘We have started our campaign as underdogs,’ said stand-in-captain Rajani Kanta Barman. ‘But now we have reached the final with consistent performances and we want to win the tournament.’
Saiful Bari Titu also promised to make the final an occasion to remember despite the scorching heat that made playing quality football very difficult.
‘We will try to play as good as possible. Russell have an advantage after getting one more day of rest than us but we are close to the title and want to end the Super Cup the way we have started,’ he said.
Russell’s never-say-die attitude and shrewd tactician coach Marful Haque have earned a lot of respect from Mohammedan coach. According to Titu a lot will depend on their success of holding back Russell’s three key national players Mamunul Islam, Zahid Hossain and Zahid Hasan Ameli
‘In such a match, if we don’t concede an early goal, then you will have a chance to win the game and we must not to concede a goal in the first half,’ he said.
Mohammedan beat eventual champions Russell twice in the league this season which is another motivation.
Russell, however, will start the match as favourites, having already won the titles of the Federation Cup, Independence Cup and the league, which helped them emerge as new giants in local football.
‘Though we lost to Mohammedan twice in the league, but we beat them twice in the Federation Cup, once in group stage and the other in semi-final,’ said Russell coach Maruf.
Maruf played down the pressure as they are chasing an unprecedented four titles in a season and his players are rather relishing the prospect.
‘Playing the Super Cup final and win the fourth title is not a pressure as we had earlier announced to win all titles of the season,’ he said. ‘Actually we are eager to win the Super Cup and are enjoying the pressure and we want to take this challenge.’
‘What benefit we have is that our players have the experience of playing big matches and I think they are capable of handling such a big match.’
The final match will kick off at 6:00pm at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.
-With New Age input
