Giants vs Pretenders

Favourites Abahani will have momentum behind them as they look to secure the Protiti Pharma Victory Day Club Cup tournament with a win over underdogs Arambagh in the final today.

The match between the Dhanmondi-based giants and their Motijheel counterparts will take place at the Bangabandhu National Stadium with kick-off scheduled for 4:15 pm.

Having fallen to a surprise defeat in their opening game of the tournament to Badda Jagarani, Abahani have looked stronger with every passing game and reached the final by overturning arch rivals and tournament hosts Mohammedan with a virtuoso performance.

Attacking midfielder Ujjal starred in that game, but the utility player could find himself in the bench with two stars set to return for the final.

“Both Emily and Abul are set to come back into the team (both sat out the semifinal to prevent suspension),” confirmed club captain Arif Khan Joy - a sign that could only bode well for Abahani.

“Our greatest strength is the depth we have in the squad. We can play well even without some of our first choice players, as we showed against Mohammedan.

"And if we can maintain the good rhythm that we have struck, than I am sure of a positive outcome,” said the shaven-headed midfielder.

As regards to surprise package Arambagh in the final, Joy assured that his team was not taking the underdogs lightly.

“A final is a final. We go into it hoping to play our best. Since they have come this far, they are also a good side.”

Coach Satyajit Das Rupu also echoed his captain's comments.

“Since the loss to Badda, the only way we have gone is up. We started on a low but we want to make up for it by ending on a high,” said Rupu.

For their part, Arambagh are revelling at the lack of pressure, maintaining that they are well groomed to spring an upset.

They will have their work cut out though as guest midfielder Rezaul Karim Liton, who scored in the semifinal victory, will be unavailable.

Despite that fact, coach Kazi Jolly seemed confident that they would provide an able opponent for the local giants.

He said, “We have done well throughout the whole tournament and we want to go into the final hoping to play to the best of our abilities. If we can do that than I shall not rule out an upset.”

Captain Akram Hossain, similarly unfazed, said, “True that Abahani are a big and famous team and they have played together for a long time but our greatest strength is in our teamwork. We may not have their stars but collectively we can cause them problems.”

He was also equally pragmatic about forcing a result.

“We will give it our best shot and I am hoping we can spring a surprise.”

This is not the first time that Abahani and Arambagh will meet in the final of a local tournament.

Back in 1997, the sides met in the final of the Federation Cup, with the Sky Blues emerging as 2-1 winners in that contest.

And if they can repeat that scoreline, their coach and faithful following will have plenty to celebrate about tonight.