Chattogram – Former champions and hosts ChattogramAbahani Limitedwill play Group B runners-up Gokulam Kerala FC of India in the first semifinal of the Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup Football Tournament on Monday at 7 pm at MA Aziz Stadium in the port city.
Both the teams are optimistic to reach the final after winning the Monday’s semifinal.
Group B champions Terengganu FC of Malaysia will face traditional Kolkata MohunBagan AC in the 2nd semifinal on Tuesday (October 29), also at 7 pm at the same venue.
The final match will be held on Thursday (October 31) at 6 pm at the same venue.
The 2nd semifinal, scheduled for Monday (October 28), and the final match billed for Wednesday (October 30), have been deferred by a day in the last moment.
In a pre-match press conference in Chattogram on Sunday, Abahani captain Jamal Bhuiyan said, “The semifinal match will be tough for us, we don’t like to take any pressure in the match, we will able to win match beating Gokulam Kerala if we could play according to our plan”.
Abahani coach Marufu lHaque said, “We achieved our first target to reach the semifinal, now I am hopeful to win the match, despite our opponent team is a well-organised side with some experienced players”.
Gukulam Kerala striker Henry said, “Our target is to win and we are ready for this although Chattogram Abahani is also a good team, it will be a good match”.
Hosts Chattogram Abahani Ltd reached the semifinal as the group 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.
Durand Cup Champions SreeGokulam Kerala FC of India smartly reached the semifinal of the prestigious meet as the unbeaten runners-up of Group B beating Chennai City FC of India by 2-0 goals and BPL Champions Bashundhara Kings of Bangladesh by 3-1 goals after playing goalless draw with Terengganu FC of Malaysia.
Terengganu FC of Malaysia smartly qualified for the semifinal as Group B champions, also with unbeaten runs outplaying Chennai FC by 5-3 goals and Bashundhara Kings by 4-2 goals after playing goalless draw with SreeGokulam Kerala FC of India.
Traditional Kolkata MohunBagan managed a berth in the last four stage of the meet beating TC Sports of the Maldives by 2-0 goals and beating hosts ChattogramAbahani Ltd by 1-0 goal, despite losing their opening match to Young Elephants of Laos by 1-2 goals. UNB
