MSC, Rahmatganj have eyes on final
Both Mohammedan and Rahmatganj are looking to make it to the final of the TVS Federation Cup as they square off in the first semifinal at the Bangabandhu National Stadium today, with the match scheduled to kick off at 4:00pm.
The season’s curtain-raising tournament has already produced some major upsets, with five former champions – Abahani, Sheikh Jamal, Brothers, Sheikh Russel and Muktijoddha Sangsad – already eliminated.
Out of six former champions, only 10-time winners Mohammedan have survived exit and the Black and Whites are now dreaming of making it to the final after 10 years. However, Rahmatganj, after beating 11-time champions Abahani, are standing on their way and hoping to qualify for the final of any top-flight tournament for the first time.
“We have nothing to lose, but something to achieve. We are dreaming of playing in the final after the young guns put up a brave performance in the last match,” Rahmatganj coach Syed Golam Jilani said yesterday.
“The match is going to be difficult and we have to play well against a youthful Mohammedan, who have strong willingness to do well. We are hopeful of availing goal-scoring chances as our attacking line-up has been creating chances regularly,” said Jilani, whose side is playing the Federation Cup semifinal for the first time since 2017.
Mohammedan coach Sean Lane is not taking Rahmatganj lightly as his young charges have less experience of playing such a pressure match.
“We know Rahmatganj will be a tough team to beat. We don’t consider them to be minnows. They have had a very successful Federation Cup to date and they will be equal favourites,” Lane said. “We will need to be at our best if we are to progress to the final. The boys need to cope up with situations like this. They dealt very well with the pressure of quarterfinals. However, I am confident in their ability and mental attitude to cope up with the pressure of semifinal.”
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