Chattogram – Former champions and hosts Chattogram Abahani will play Terengganu FC of Malaysia in the final of the 3rd edition of the Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup Football on Thursday (October 31) eyeing their opportunity to regain the title.
The final will kick-off at 6pm at the floodlit MA Aziz Stadium here. Chattogram Abahani reached the final eliminating Indian Durand Cup champions Sree Gokulam Kerala FC 3-2 in a thrilling first semifinal that went into extra-time after the teams were locked 2-2 at the end of 90 minutes.
Everyone will be hoping the final can reproduce the excitement of the semifinal phase. The second semi saw Terengganu FC eliminating traditional Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan AC 4-2 at the same venue on Tuesday, thanks to a memorable deadball hat-trick by their English captain Lee Tuck.
It was Tuck’s second hattrick in a row, after he scored 3 goals in their last group match against BPL champions Bashundhara Kings last Saturday.
The sky-blue team from the Port City, Chattogram Abahani, which clinched the inaugural edition of the tournament Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup is determined to regain the title this time having been in eliminated in the semifinal of the last edition, and completed a satisfactory practice session at the venue on Wednesday.
In pre final press conference here on Wednesday, Ctg Abahani coach Maruful Haque said, “We qualified for the final with our ability, the two best teams reached the final. Our opponent is very strong, but we are eyeing the trophy.”
National team captain Jamal Bhuiyan, on loan at Ctg Abahani for the tournament from his regular club Basundhara Kings, said: “Our target is to be the champion, we are close to title, now we are waiting to present the trophy to the peoples of Chattogram and as well as Bangladesh.”
Chattogram Abahani Ltd reached the semifinals as the Group A champions despite losing their last group match to Kolkata Mohun AC by 1-2 goals after beating defending champions TC Sports Club of the Maldives by 4-1 goals and Young Elephants FC of Laos by 2-0 goals.
Terengganu FC of Malaysia moved into the semifinal as unbeaten champions of Group B beating Chennai City FC of India by 5-3 goals and BPL Champions Bashundhara Kings by 4-2 goals after playing a goalless draw with Sree Gokulam Kerala FC of India in group encounters.UNB
