Abahani’s Maldivian challenge once more
Having made a small piece of history by advancing to the knockout stage of the AFC Cup last season, Abahani are under pressure to emulate that feat as the six-time Bangladesh Premier League champions face Maldivian opponents, who frustrated the Sky Blues in their first two appearances in the second-tier club competition of Asia.
Abahani played in the group stage three times in a row, only once getting through. However, the Dhanmondi-based outfit are in the pre-qualifying stage this time after losing their BPL title to Bashundhara Kings, who advance directly to the group stage.
The Sky Blues lost 5-1 away to New Radiant Club in 2018 following a 1-0 defeat at home. The previous year they suffered two 2-0 defeats against Maziya S&RC.
Although Abahani coach Mario Lemos and his charges showed no signs of pressure ahead of Wednesday’s home match against Maziya in the pre-qualifying stage-1, there is always hidden pressure on them when facing Maldivian clubs.
“I don’t think there is pressure on the players. If it was a single match, there would be more pressure, but it is a two-legged tie,” Lemos said after yesterday’s training.
“Playing at home gives us confidence. We did not lose in Dhaka last season. Our aim is to not concede at home and win the match, which will put us in a good position for the away match,” added Lemos.
“AFC Cup is all about organisation and discipline. If you are organised, you have a big chance to win. Maziya are a good team but they are not as good as the ones we played in last AFC Cup. I think we are a better team and must win the game,” said Lemos, who guided Abahani to the knockout stage for the first time last year.
Defender Raihan Hasan saw the ups and downs of Abahani in all three campaigns and believes that they have the ability to cross this hurdle.
“We always faced them [Maldivian clubs] at home and lost the match, so there was a determination among the players to do well in away match, but we could not defend well for playing all-out attacking football in away matches. But this time our team is better than last season and we have quality foreign players. So, the home match is important for us. if we win the home match, the away match will be a bit easy,” said Raihan.