Advantage Chattogram Abahani?

Chattogram Abahani stand just a game away from their second title of the Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup, and will have the home advantage along with a day’s advantage when they take on Terengganu FC in the final at the MA Aziz Stadium today.

The match kicks off at 6:00pm and is expected to draw a full-house crowd to cheer for the home team, who are looking to regain the title after being eliminated from the semifinals last time around.

Even amidst the front-page-headline-making revelations from cricket in Dhaka over the past one week, the third edition of this tournament has generated a lot of excitement in the port city, not just because of the home side’s performance but also due to the overall standard of competition, which many believe has been much higher than the previous two editions.

The general perception of the rising stature of Bangladesh as a footballing nation and the participation of three Indian teams has piqued the interest of even the casual fans, with the India versus Bangladesh rivalry working as an X factor.

After 14 matches and 56 goals, a few controversies here and there amid mostly entertaining football, the two teams still standing are Chattogram Abahani and Terengganu FC.

Both teams have shown attacking prowess, but also defensive frailties as this has been a high-scoring tournament so far. Chattogram Abahani have conceded six goals against 11 scored while Terengganu have scored 13 goals against seven conceded.

There is very little to choose from between the two sides at this stage, but Terengganu coach Nafuzi Bin Mohamad Zain believes that an extra day’s rest as well as the home support make the home side the favourites.

“It will not be easy to play against the hosts but I’m hoping for a good performance. The home team are favourites because they have home crowd, better preparation and more time to rest,” the Malaysian coach said during yesterday’s pre-final press conference.

Terengganu FC have been the most prolific side of the tournament, with two forwards getting three hattricks. The man who has been behind this run is Lee Tuck and he can make the difference on his own like he did in the last two matches.

“It’s a special occasion tomorrow. It’s been a perfect tournament so far and it will be great way to finish it by winning it. We are ready to show that we have great quality. We came here to win trophy together as a team,” the 31-year-old English forward said.

Chattogram Abahani are aware of the danger from Lee Tuck, who played one season for Abahani. While the hosts have plans for the Englishman, they have also worked out the other sources of danger.

“Lee Tuck performed outstandingly. We have plan regarding his free-kicks and setpieces. But they also have a good combination between (Syafik Bin) Ismail, Bruno (Suzuki) and Lee, and we have to break this combination,” Chattogram Abahani coach Maruful Haque said, claiming that close to 130 minutes of exertion in the semifinal nullified his team’s advantage of an extra day’s rest.

Team captain Jamal Bhuiyan, like his coach, was confident that he can finish the job he was entrusted with when called up by Chattogram Abahani for this tournament.

“We have only one goal before the tournament and we want to achieve the goal tomorrow by winning the final. Everybody is eager to play the final,” Jamal said.