Abahani today, or Sk Jamal tomorrow
The coveted title of the Bangladesh Premier League may be decided today as title contenders Abahani and Sheikh Jamal square-off in a virtual final in the penultimate round of the tournament's ninth edition at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.
The match will get underway at 6:45pm following the afternoon match between Brothers Union and Farashganj SC.
The battle for the title became a two-horse race Muktijoddha Sangsad shot down high-flying Chittagong Abahani 2-0 and Saif Sporting Club held Sheikh Jamal to a 1-1 draw.
Those results combined with Dhaka Abahani's consistent performances saw the Dhanmondi-based outfit swoop in and claim pole position in the 12-team table.
The Sky Blues currently have 48 points from 20 matches, just one point more than second place Sheikh Jamal, and can take an unassailable lead and claim a sixth professional football league title with a win. On the flipside, Sheikh Jamal can climb up to first with a win.
"We have been taking it match by match after the completion of the first leg and we are still focused on that. Since a win will confirm the title, we don't want to throw away this opportunity," said Abahani manager Satyajit Das Rupu.
"There is no magic to our consistent performances. The players are aware of their duties and I hope they will again do their duty on the field. The team that makes less mistakes and avails their chances will win," added Rupu, who can draw inspiration from the fact that his side were faced with a similar predicament last season before confirming their fifth title by beating Sheikh Jamal in the penultimate round.
Despite their latest encounter ending in a 1-1 stalemate, the head-to-head statistics are in Abahani's favour with six wins, as many draws and only three losses from their previous 15 league encounters. Abahani have also not lost to Sheikh Jamal since a 2-1 loss in August 2015.
However they will have to be wary of a desperate Sheikh Jamal, who have no option other than victory if they are to have a realistic shot at the title.
"It's a do-or-die situation for us," said Sheikh Jamal coach Mahbub Hossain Roxy. "But the players are pressure-free because they have nothing to lose. And they are motivated to win and give a hundred per cent."
Despite missing the services of midfielder Omar Faruque Babu and Gambian recruit Mamadou Bah, who is still recovering from a head injury, Sheikh Jamal will have to be on the offensive to keep their title hopes intact. They can also draw on their 3-1 win over Chittagong Abahani to bring down their namesakes.
Comments