After a scrappy 1-0 win in the opening game, Abahani Limited will be hoping to come alive when they take on local side Ugyen Academy in their second King’s Cup match in Thimphu today. Though, the Bangladesh Premier League runners-up had the last laugh over Assam Electricity on Sunday, Abahani struggled to find their full rhythm because of the freezing conditions, high altitude and the speedy turf of the Changlimithang Stadium.
But according to Abahani manager Sattyajit Dus Rupu, the Sky-Blue outfit now have adapted to the condition and now looking to their next game against a relatively weaker opponent.
‘In the first match we failed to play our natural game due to various problems as we were struggling with the weather, altitude and speedy surface,’ Rupu said over phone on Monday.
‘But we have overcome the problems as the players have adjusted to the conditions and ready for another win tomorrow [today].’
After today’s game, Abahani will take on relatively two stronger opponents – Nepalese giants Manag Marshyangdi Club on November 22 and Indian outfit Pune FC on 25.
Naturally they are keen to earn full three points against Ugyen Academy.
‘If we can play to our potential, we will earn the full three points from tomorrow’s [today’s] match. But we are not taking them [Ugyen] lightly as it is a very important game for us before facing two of the strongest sides in our group’, added Rupu.
The match will start at 5:00pm Bangladesh time.
-With New Age input
