Dhaka: An encounter between Dhaka Abahani and Dhaka Mohammedan always becomes a high-voltage match in domestic soccer leagues, with fans crowding the stadium to see their respective team triumph.

The giants in the country’s sporting arena are preparing for a latest fight in the battlefield at Bangabandhu National Stadium in the Citicell Bangladesh League Wednesday.

However, they clinched their championship and runners-up trophy before the last match. Abahani retained their league title with one match to spare and confirmed hat-trick trophy, while their archrival Mohammedan has to accept runners-up position again.

Abahani Skipper Biplob Bhattacharya said in this case, the match becomes less important to the players, but it is different--in that it is an Abahani-Mohammedan clash.

“We wrapped up the league title which does not mean we will not give our best in the field on that prestigious match,” said Biplob, as his battalion prepared for the battle royal.

“In the last 10 years, I have been with the Abahani like a family. As captain it is my responsibility to uphold the club prestige.”

Upbeat on a track record of remaining unbeaten in 33 matches, Abahani coach Amalash Sen expect that they can manage a win against Mohammedan to finish the league in style with full satisfaction as an unbeaten title holder.

“We are unbeaten so far and we may remain undefeated until the end of the league,” said Sen.

Mohammedan, hoisting their trademark black-and-white flag, while craving for a win against archrival Abahani, is getting mental peace although they could not clutch the crown in the soccer league.

Coach and former player of Mohammedan Ponir Ahmed said definitely they would go for a win and their players are ready to give their best against Abahani.

“It is a big match and which team will be able to utilize their best chances in the pitch, they will gain. However, We practiced hard, for the simple reason that we want to thrash our old foe,” said Ponir.

The Mohammedans could not manage a win against Abahani in their last five collisions in the professional Bangladesh League, while Dhanmondinians bagged two victories out of five and the other three ended in draw.

In this regard, the Abahani captain, Biplob, explained: “Oh, they are very good team as is Abahani Limited. They have few good players, but we have better players--that will make the difference.”

BDST: 1905hrs, June 1, 2010
SA/MUA