Local giants Abahani Limited will take on Karachi Electric FC of Pakistan in the opening match of the inaugural Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup tournament, scheduled in Chittagong from Tuesday.
Hosts Chittagong Abahani will play Indian outfit East Bengal FC in the second match of the opening day. Kolkata Mohammedan Sporting Club will take on Solid FC of Sri Lanka the following day while Dhaka Mohammedan will open their campaign against De Spingher Bazan FC of Afghanistan in the day’s other match.
Afghan club Bazan had abruptly pulled out of the tournament a day after the draw of the tournament was completed. But the organisers somehow managed to convince them to play the tournament, keeping it an eight-team tournament.
‘They initially had refused to play due to their internal crisis but we could convince them finally,’ said Shakil Mahmud Chowdhury, the coordinator of the tournament.
‘All overseas teams, including the Afghan champions, will arrive by October 18.’
Eight teams — three local and five foreign clubs — split into two groups for the tournament will vie in the group stage.
Two top teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals which will be held on October 27 and 28 respectively.
The final will be held on October 30 at the MA Aziz Stadium.
-With New Age input
