The wait is over

Reigning champions Abahani preparing at their club ground in Dhanmondi for today's Citycell B. League opener against Rahmatganj.Photo: STAR

The long 13-month wait for the second edition of the professional football league ends today when defending champions Abahani take on Rahmatganj in the opening match of the Citycell B. League.
The Dhaka derby will kick off at 3.30pm at the Bangabandhu National Stadium, which is both the sides' home ground.
Abahani will look forward to bury the early-season failure of losing two finals -- the Federation Cup and the inaugural futsal competition -- with a big win against last year's bottom table club from the older part of the capital.
The Sky-blues, who will also end their 20-match campaign of the competition against the same side, have the strongest team on paper but will face typical rivalry from Federation Cup winners Mohammedan, who launch their crusade with a tricky fixture against Chittagong Abahani in Dhaka tomorrow.
Among all the five opening round games to be played in Dhaka, Tuesday's fixture looks to be a mouth-watering clash between Sheikh Russel, one of the title contenders, and the impressive Farashganj, who led Abahani 1-0 before eventually going down 2-1 in last month's Federation Cup semifinal. Arambagh have a bye in the first round.
It would not also be easy tasks for a struggling Muktijoddha who host Khulna Abahani and Gopibagh giants Brothers Union, who are pitted against visiting Chittagong Mohammedan.
There are injury worries for Abahani with former captain Arif Khan Joy and defender Pradeep Poddar set to miss the opener. Centre-back Mohammed Sujan and midfielder Mamunul Islam are also doubtful starters but Abahani manager Satyajit Das Rupu told that the two national players are fit to start.
The strength of the holders, however, lies in a very strong reserve bench and they could easily have a formidable line-up without these four.
Coach Amalesh Sen would have no headache as he can field Siraji, skipper Nazrul, Yussif and Waly as the back four with Obaidur and Sony as reserves.
The presence of Emily and the trusted Ghanaian forward Ibrahim in addition of Nigerian striker Emeka will tempt any coach to go for a 4-3-3 formation but Amalesh is expected to appoint Emeka as the attacking midfielder with Pranotosh settling for the holding role.
He will have to choose from Zahed Parvez, Ujjal and Abul to complete the eleven.
"We have all the players from the last season plus Sujan, Mamun and Emeka. Ghana's Ibrahim and Samad Youssif have also shown good form. So our team look balanced and the back up strong enough to retain the title," said Rupu.
"In the Federation Cup we created a lot of scoring opportunities could not covert most of them. I have told the players to increase goals and keep cool," he added
Syed Golam Jilani, who makes his B. League debut for Rahmatganj, has high hopes.
"Our players are spirited and the youngsters are raring to go. The blend youth and experience is our force. All I can say now is that Rahmatganj will be a fighting outfit in every match," said Jilani.
Rahmatganj, who finished last in the 2007 league, are likely to miss GM Mamun, who joined from Khulna Abahani, due to a knee injury.
Meanwhile, Abahani -- the home side of today's match -- have announced the eastern gallery free for school students who need to wear school uniform or show ID cards for free entry.
Gallery tickets will cost Tk 20 and VIP tickets Tk 50 each.
The top eight teams of the 11-team B. League will qualify for next year's proposed Super Cup where the winners will pocket Tk one crore as prize money.
But the Tk 10-lakh reward for winning the country's most coveted competition remains small -- although double from last year's prize money -- compared to the Super Cup.