Abahani take on Muktijoddha

Citycell Bangladesh League resumes today 
The local football arena will be abuzz again after a one-and-half month break when the Citycell Bangladesh League returns to action today. Defending champions and current joint leaders in the table Dhaka Abahani will take on Muktijoddha Sangsad at the Bangabandhu National Stadium while Chittagong Abahani will take on Sheikh Russel KC at the MA Aziz Stadium in the afternoon kick-off.
Dhaka Abahani currently lead the table, along with Dhaka Mohammedan, with a maximum of nine points from three matches while Muktijoddha languish at the bottom having failed to register a point till now.
The Sky Blues will be looking to stretch their hundred percent record when they take on bottom-placed Muktijoddha. Abahani manager Satyajit Das Rupu however thinks that the previous results don’t count for much and he is looking for a fresh start. “The league was on a break for a long time. It doesn’t matter much that we have won our previous three games. We are taking this as a new beginning and a fresh challenge.”
Abahani have nine players in the squad from the recently-concluded SAFF Championship, which Rupu thinks might work both as an advantage or a disadvantage, “This can be an advantage when one considers that they were amongst play all this time. But again, it might work against us as they are tired from playing at a stretch.”
Abahani will likely be missing the services of veteran defender Rajani Kanta Barman who sustained an injury during the SAFF Championship match against India and is still recovering. They may also have to do without another defender Atiqur Rahman Mishu who is also nursing an injury.
Muktijoddha coach Golam Sarwar Tipu also wants to forget the performances of the past and is looking towards the challenge that is ahead, “I’ve told my boys to forget the previous results and concentrate on this game. They know their strengths and weaknesses. And I’ve told them to play accordingly.
Acknowledging the task at hand, the veteran coach wants his charges to put up a good fight. “Abahani are the defending champions. And they are a very strong side. But we will play our best too”.
The tie at MA Aziz stadium between Sheikh Russel and Chittagong Abahani is expected to be tough battle. Sheikh Russel have seven points in their three matches while Chittagong Abahani have five points with a win and two draws.
The Bangladesh League went into the long break after the first week of November with Eid-ul-Azha followed by preparations for the SAAF Football and the tournament proper.