Last year’s runners-up Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club will look to secure a semi-final berth in the Federation Cup when they take on Mohammedan Sporting Club in the first quarter-final at the Bangabandhu National Stadium today. The match will start at 5:00pm which will be broadcast live on state-owned Bangladesh Television. Sheikh Jamal, the best side on paper, have failed to display their strength so far in the competition, eking out victories in the group stage against two weak opponents; Uttar Baridhara and Feni Soccer Club.
The Dhanmondi-based outfit will hope that their forward line will finally click, with only Haitian playmaker Sony Norde having made an impact in the group matches by scoring all three goals in the two matches. Haitian Wedson Enselme and Nigerian Emeke have yet to open their accounts.
Mohammedan, the most successful side in Fed Cup history with 10 titles, also want to forget the disappointment of their last match in the group stage, which ended in a 2-0 defeat to archrivals Abahani Limited.
The black-and-while outfit are also without coach Saiful Bari, who took charge before the start the tournament but was not present in the Mohammedan dugout as his contract has yet to be finalised.
In his absence, former national team captain Jewel Rana is guiding Mohammedan in the Federation Cup.
Rana is confident that his side has the potential to beat their favoured opponents.
The team also received a boost when Egyptian striker Mostafa received his International Transfer Certificate on Wednesday night.
‘In the last two games we conceded goals due to some silly mistakes. We worked on our mistakes and believe that the boys will play taking the lessons from past errors,’ said Jewel.
‘Sheikh Jamal is the favourite team on paper; they have a number of useful players and a group of quality foreigners. So they will give their best against us.’
Jewel admitted that his own team’s foreign players had failed to satisfy him in the first two matches, but said that they have to rely on them in the next match because they do not have other options.
According to Jewel, Mohammedan will start the match in a defensive mode.
‘We will try to not concede a goal first; then I will go counter attack,’ said Jewel.
Mohammedan will also look to Zahid Hasan Ameli and Zahid Hossain, who were vital in the victory over Rahamatganj but failed to play their normal games against Abahani, for inspiration.
In the other camp, Jamal’s Nigerian coach Afusi Joseph said that facing Mohammedan will be a challenge for his side.
‘It will be a challenging one. Mohammedan is a traditional powerhouse, but we are ready for the fight,’ said Joseph.
‘We have played two matches so far and grabbed full points, but things were not as easy as we thought.
‘Everybody thinks that Jamal would have won by bigger margin, but it’s not so easy.
‘[On Thursday] it will be an open game, as Mohammedan definitely will have the hunger to win the match to proceed to the semis, and in consequence we will get chances.
‘It would be a good match as there is only one option; to win the match and stay alive in the tournament,’ said the Nigerian coach.
-With New Age input
