Two times champions Dhanmondi outfit Dhaka Abahani will take on the services team Bangladesh Air force in the season’s inaugural tournament Independence Cup at the Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni Stadium in Gopalganj on Friday.
Argentine Coach Andres Cruciani joined the Sky Blues team five days prior to the start of the tournament. He started practice with footballers at the club ground on Tuesday. All the players are now fit and they wish to start the tournament with enthusiasm.
The Sky Blues are not taking their opponents lightly at all. Air Force played two times in Independence Cup and unfortunately they failed to go past the group stage every time.
Dhaka Abhani became third in this tourney last season, this time the Sky Blues are physically and mentally prepared to clinch the title. So, they are taking every game seriously. Abahani’s primary target is one- they want to win all three matches in the group stage and then qualify into the knockout stage.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Police and the Gopibagh outfit Brothers Union (BU) in Group—A will confront each other at the Bir Shrestha Flight Lt Matiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj on the same day.
Bangladesh Police skipper Monaem Khan Raju is eager to win the game. They stood fourth last season. Traditional club BU are getting the chance to play after five years. So, they will try their level best to show their credentials.
In Group-B runner-up Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra will meet Rahmatganj Muslim Friends Society at the Bashundhara kings Arena. Coach Jugoslav Trenchovski expects his team will give their all in the field. ‘The match will be very competitive and best team will win the match,’ said Jugoslav.
