Dhaka – Both former triple crown winners in a season Sheikh Russel KC and newcomers Bashundhara Kings are eying season’s first trophy when they meet each other in the final of the 13-team Walton Independence Cup Football Tournament on Wednesday.
The match will kick off at 4:30pm at the country’s premier sports venue — Bangabandhu National Stadium.
Bangladesh Television will telecast the match live from the big bowl. BFF and SAFF President Kazi Mohammad Salahuddin will be the chief guest in the final.
Both the teams reached the final from death group of D, eliminating formidable Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club.
In a pre-match press conference at the BFF office on Tuesday, head coaches and captains of the both the teams expressed their optimism to win the Independence Cup trophy playing their best.
Sheikh Russel head coach AKM Saiful Bari Titu said, “We want to be the champions playing a good football in the final. We’re the favourite in the tournament. Now, we need to play our best game in the final to achieve the target.”
“Our players have to give their highest level of concentration in the final, giving very less space to our opponents without doing any big mistake,” he said.
Replying to a query, Titu said Bashundhara Kings are a very good and strong team and they might play attacking football.
Sheikh Russel captain cum national custodian Ashraful Islam Rana said, “Both the teams have equal chance to win the title, but we may be the champions. Initial advantage or lead in the final will be a vital factor.”
Bashundhara Kings head coach Oscar Wilian Bruzon and captain Emon Mahmud Babu said they reached the final in two consecutive tournaments and they want to be the champions this time displaying their best performance to forget the loss in the Federation Cup final against Dhaka Abahahi.
Earlier, Bashundhara Kings smartly moved into the final eliminating holders Dhaka Abahani Limited by 7-6 goals in the sudden death session of tie-breaker on Thursday last as the crucial 2nd semifinal match between the two national star-studded teams was locked in 1-1 goal in the stipulated 90 minutes and also in the extra session of 30 minutes.
Sheikh Russel KC reached the final eliminating Brothers Union Club by 2-0 goals in the first semifinal on Wednesday last.UNB
