Abahani play Mohun Bagan after 28 years

Bangladesh Premier League champions Abahani will take on neighbouring rivals Mohun Bagan AC in their first away match of AFC Cup at the Rabindra Sarobar Stadium in Kolkata today.

This will be the first meeting of the two sides since 1989 when Abahani beat the cross-border rivals in the final of a tournament called Azmeri Gold Cup which was held in Noakhali.

However, after suffering a 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Maziya Sports and Recreation Club of Maldives, the five-time professional league champions will try to restore some pride by putting up a spirited performance against the Indian outfit, who had suffered a 1-2 defeat to I-League champions Bengaluru FC in their opening match.

Abahani, however, are hamstrung  by the absence of Ghanaian defender Samad Yussif, leaving the Sky Blues with only two foreign players against Mohun Bagan's four foreign recruits. Moreover, midfielder Emon Babu is also suffering from injury.

Despite that coach Drago Mamic is optimistic about notching up a victory.

"It has been tough for me to build the team but we have made some signing and are looking to add some more. We have to play well because we have the opportunity to come out top of the group," Mamic was quoted as saying by goal.com.

“As Samad Yussif will be replaced by Nasir Chowdhury, we have to be careful in defence and avail the opportunities we get. If the boys can play according to the plan, a win is possible,” Abahani manager Satyajit Das Rupu told this reporter over phone.

Hosts Mohun Bagan will have the home advantage as well as a boost from a 3-0 win over holders Bengaluru FC in I-League match on Saturday. Japanese midfielder Katsumi Yusa, who struck a brace in that match, and Haitian striker Sony Norde, who played in Bangladesh for three seasons, will be the key players for the charges of Sanjoy Sen.