Grameenphone Federation Cup 2010
Intense battle for curtain raiser
The phony war of the Grameenphone Federation Cup finished three days ago and now the real battle of the season’s curtain raiser begins today with eight finalists locking horns to determine who is the best of the lot.
Bangladesh League champions Abahani face newcomers but star-studded Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club in one of two opening day matches at 5:30pm at the Birshreshtha Shaheed Mostafa Kamal Stadium, which will earlier stage the match between Sheikh Russel KC and Rahmatganj MFS at 3:00pm.
Much before the players’ transfer, newcomers Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club and Muktijoddha Sangsad emerged as new powerhouses after roping in the players from two traditional houses — Abahani and Mohammedan. Both are considered top contenders for the Federation Cup, ahead of defending Federation Cup champions Mohammedan and runners-up Abahani.
Sheikh Jamal studded with 16 national players and a rejuvenated Muktijoddha Sangsad have already proved their worth in the qualifying round after scoring six and 11 goals respectively in two matches on way to cementing their place in the finals.
A new-look Brothers Union and Rahmatganj MFS, known as giant-killers, are also two associates of Sheikh Jamal and Muktijoddha Sangsad as they joined the top four teams of last season’s Bangladesh League — Mohammedan, Abahani, Sheikh Russel KC and Feni Soccer Club. .
Considering the strength on paper, newcomers Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi and recharged Muktijoddha Sangsad will go into the championship as favourites, but the fact is the title race is set to be wide open. Despite losing their strength to the two new clubs, traditional foes Abahani and Mohammedan will still be more than a match.
Mohammedan, champions of 2008 and 2009, are on the verge of a hat-trick Federation Cup title but the job of a treble will be a tough task for the Black and Whites, who have lost their strength in the players’ transfer.
“This type of practice tournament does not reflect reality of a team as it is an any team tournament and we will take this tournament in that context,” said Mohammedan coach Shafiqul Islam Manik.
Abahani may have the satisfaction after winning a hattrick of titles of the Bangladesh League, but no doubt they have the dissatisfaction of not winning the Federation Cup since 2000 when they beat archrivals Mohammedan to lift the trophy for the last time. But this time they are looking forward to breaking the nine-year jinx.
“With the presence of a foreign coach this time, we are looking forward to winning the Federation Cup title this year and want to continue the momentum of the Bordoloi Cup where we emerged champions,” said Abahani football manager Satyajit Das Rupu, who, however, believes all participating teams have a chance to win the Federation Cup.
The big strength of Muktijoddha is coach Maruful Haque, who guided Mohammedan to winning two successive Federation Cup title.
“Our target is to play the final as we have already crossed the hurdle of qualifying,” said Maruf who would love to meet Sheikh Jamal in the final.
Maruf also believes Abahani and Mohammedan have a chance to provide surprise results though both of them have not been tested this season.
With a period of two weeks practice, Sheikh Jamal could hardly impress the spectators in their two matches but they believe they would be able to produce better performance day be day.
“Our target is to win the Federation Cup and we are taking every match as a final and we go into the field for a victory,” said Sheikh Jamal captain Aminul Haq who also thinks Muktijoddha, Abahani and Russel KC also have chance to win the cup.
