Stage set for thrilling finale

TC Sports Club and Pocheon Citizen FC will both be looking to add a maiden international trophy to their cabinets when they face off in the final of the Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup at the MA Aziz Stadium in Chittagong today.

The final will get underway at 6:30pm with private satellite channel Maasranga broadcasting live from the venue.

Neither Maldivian side TC Sports nor Pocheon Citizen -- a third-tier side from South Korea -- were earmarked as candidates for the title, but they made their presence felt from the beginning and ultimately outshone all the other teams -- including defending champions Chittagong Abahani -- to reach the final unbeaten.

No one would disagree that the two best sides of the tournament will be challenging for the trophy after they put up much better showings than any of the other clubs. The players from Maldives and South Korea were comparatively ahead of the other players in terms of skills, technique and tactics and today's final will be a mouth-watering clash.

“I want to say it is going to be a very tough game one and it won't be easy for us. Our only focus is to win the match and prepare the boys to win the game,” said TC Sports coach Mohammad Nizam. “We don't want to talk about favourites and underdog. In football, the world champions can be beaten by a 160th ranked team. It is very usual. If your plan doesn't work on the day, you can lose the match. I will say all things depend on how you react on the day.”

“I am very confident but not overconfident. I know the opponents are very strong and with due respect, we will try to come out with a win,” added the 42-year-old former Maldivian footballer.

Pochen Citizen came from behind to play out a 1-1 draw against TC Sports Club in the group stage, before overturning a deficit and staging a strong comeback to beat Chittagong Abahani 2-1 in the semifinal.

“We are very happy to have reached the final of the tournament. Since we made it to the final we are ready to take the trophy back home,” said Pocheon Citizen coach Kim Jae Young.

“The teams in the tournament should not be taken lightly. If the players do their best and play according to the coach's instructions, we will be able to win the final,” hoped Kim.