Defending Champions Bashundhara Kings' goal is to finish first in Group D. To fulfil the target The Kings are fully prepared against former Champions Chittagong Abahani. The Kings need one point from the match. In their second encounter, the two teams, Banshundhara Kings and Chittagong Abahani, will face off against each other in the 13th Independence Cup Football 2023 at the Kings home ground, Bashundhara Kings Arena Stadium, on Thursday.
Team’s Spanish Coach Oscar and skipper defender Topu Barman both have one mission: they must win over the Blue Pirates.
Bashundhara Kings won their first encounter against the services team Bangladesh Navy by 1-0 on October 28. They secured three points from one match and assured quarterfinals in Group D. If they draw with the Blue Pirates, they will be the group champions. If the Kings lose the match they will be runner-up.
On the other hand, Chittagong Abahani collected one point from their first outings against the services team Bangladesh Navy and drew 1-1 at the same venue on October 31.
So, the Blue Pirates have no alternative but victory in the proceedings. They badly need to win this game. The coach, Mahbubul Haque Jewel, and the captain, Yeasin Khan, know very well that they have to win over the Kings. It will be a tough match for Chittagong Abahani. If they concede two goals, they will be out of the race due to goal difference.
Both the Bangladesh Navy and Chittagong Abahani are still in the quarterfinal race from Group D, collecting one point each after playing two and one match, respectively.
Meanwhile, Sheikh Jamal will take on Bangladesh Police FC in Group A at the same venue on the same day. Both teams reached the quarterfinals and won one match apiece against Brothers Union (BU). The Gopibagh outfit, BU, is eliminated from the race. They lost two outings and conceded six goals.
The match between Sheikh Jamal and Bangladesh Police will decide the position in the group. They managed three points from one encounter. Sheikh Jamal is in a good position; the team is on top with a goal average (+4), while Bangladesh Police (+2) placed second in Group A.
Earlier, three teams—former champions Dhaka Abahani Limited, Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club, and Bangladesh Police FC—met in the quarterfinals of the season's curtain-raising soccer meet from their respective groups.
