SPORTS EDGE

Sports
Citycell Federation Cup'08Fed Cup Final today
No clear favourites
Al Musabbir Sadi
Pranotosh (L) and Sujan warm up during Abahani's training at their club ground in Dhanmondi yesterday. They are eyeing their eighth Federation Cup title to catch Mohammedan in the roll of honour (left). Hassan Al Mamun (front), who will play his first Federation Cup in the famous black and white strip, stretches at the BUET ground on the eve of the Federation Cup final with his Mohammedan teammates (right). Photo: STARThere will be no clear favourites when the country's most popular clubs Abahani and Mohammedan -- on equal terms in current form and strength unlike the recent past -- clash in the final of the Citycell Federation Cup this afternoon.The 21st final of the prestigious competition will kick off at 4.30 pm at the Bangabandhu National Stadium. Live telecast would be available on Bangladesh Television.In the last few years, the two archrivals -- under pressure from teams like Muktijoddha, Brothers and Russel -- could not strengthen their squads as they had wished. This was not the case this year as Abahani, who had managed to break the chain last year, retained the same strength that won them the inaugural professional league in 2007.Mohammedan, with a very inexperienced side, gave the eventual B. League winners a run for their money but in the end, finished a distant second. This season, the black and whites went out early to sign eight national players, making it no secret that they are going for the top not just verbally.And battle royal it will be if the weather remains dry for at least the last 24 hours. Although the organisers had postponed the tournament for a week in the middle to avoid heavy rains, inclement weather continued to chase the season's curtain raiser. As a result, all the quarterfinals and the semifinals were played on virtually an unplayable pitch, taking toll on the footballers."I expected my players to rich the pick of their fitness by this time but due to playing matches and training in poor conditions constantly, they have lost the initiative," mentioned coach Maruful Haque on the eve of Mohammedan's 12th final."Abahani, who are balanced in every department, have had enjoyed better practice facilities because of their own ground, which is good."In spite of this slight disadvantage, we are positive to go into the match," said Maruf -- in charge of a top team for the first time -- whose side have won all their five games so far despite a struggling start.Nigerian Alamu Bukola has simply been irresistible with eight goals in four games while his striking partner Robin has missed the target just in one game.They make the best attacking pair in the tournament, having shared 12 goals out of the eight-time champions' total 13."But I will miss my playmaker Arman Aziz who has suffered a bad injury," the coach said adding that the Mohammedan midfielder has only a five percent chance of playing.Nigerian recruit Dami Emmanuel is expected to fill the void and stand beside Sharif and Egyptian Hajem Mahmud in the three-man central midfield. With young Nasir guaranteed a place at right, Maruf will have to choose between a more defence oriented left fullback in Kamal or Faisal Mahmud's attacking flair.Apart from missing Aziz, Maruf's worry is an aging central defence -- Hassan Al Mamun, skipper Jewel Rana and Rajani -- which has conceded four goals so far."Age is not a problem for them but they have failed to adapt to the new system," he said while explaining that he wants a 'screener', not a 'sweeper' to which the local players are more used to. In the end, the battle will be between the tournament's best attack and the tightest backline.The sky-blues have conceded just two goals and Amalesh Sen's seven-time Federation Cup winners, who also enter their 12th final and their first since 2000, have a headache any coach would love to have.With comeback king Sujan and Ghana's Samad Yussif in fine form, captain Nazrul's return from a two-match suspension would definitely tempt veteran coach Amalesh to use a three-man central defence, which he has done often during the tournament despite falling in love with 4-4-2 long ago. Mamun, banned for one match, and Ujjal, announced fit, will also be available in midfield to fight for a place at the right with Zahed Parvez.The only concern, however, is three-goal Joy. The holding midfielder and former captain has been nursing a groin problem but the sky-blues management is 80 percent hopeful he would take the field.If Abahani opt for a 3-5-2 formation and Joy is playing, Pranotosh who scored their equaliser in the 2-1 semifinal victory against Farashganj, will have to sit out."Our strength lies in the bench. We can substitute any player with similar quality," said Amalesh, whose side have netted 12 goals but played one goalless draw in the group."Mohammedan have won all their matches and Bukola is among goals but like them, we are not dependent on one scorer as Ujjal and Waly have also scored for us. We just want to play our own game," added the former international midfielder, who could well have spent a sleepless night over the selection dilemma. Emily, who has struck four goals for Abahani and always runs toward the goal, has been termed dangerous by Mohammedan coach Maruf. His partner, Ghanaian forward Ibrahim, may have not fired once but remains the Abahani powerhouse and the provider of goals.Despite all the talents on the pitch, the match could well come down to the nation's two top goalkeepers, Mohammedan's national number one Aminul and the inform Biplab, if the match goes into penalties.
One of several CNG filling stations between Kanchpur Bridge and Jatrabari of the capital which BNP big shots built on the Kutubkhali canal, drastically reducing Dhaka's drainage capability. PHOTO: STAR