Motivated Abahani Limited will face favourites North Korean April 4.25 Sports Club (SC) in the AFC Cup Inter Zonal play-off semifinal-2 scheduled to be held today (Wednesday) with both the teams express their high hope on winning the match.
The match kicks off at 6.45 pm at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.
Addressing at a pre match press conference held on Tuesday at conference room of Bangladesh Football Federation Bhaban, Abahani coach M Rio Lemos said the match against April. 25 SC is very important for them and they are taking the match like a final.
Abahani skipper Shahidul Islam, who was present in the press conference, said they want to win the match putting up their best effort in the field.
The 4.25 SC are expected to be tough opponents for Abahani who have to fight their best to bring a good result. The Dhanmondi outfit has four quality foreign players in their squad while their opposition team only features home-grown players.
North Korean’s 4.25 Sports Club head coach Choe Jong Hyok said they have no any experience regarding their rivals but they have come here to win the match.
April 25 SC, the most successful club in North Korean football, has won 17 national championships so far. The club also achieved an uncommon feat winning the national championship.
On the other hand, Abahani Limited emerged top of Group E, also featuring Chennaiyin FC, Minerva Punjab and Manang Marshiyangdi Club, 4.25 SC got the better of two Hong Kong clubs and one club from Taiwan in Group I.
The traditional sky blue Dhanmondi-based ‘outfit’ Abahani Limited have reached the knockout stage of this second-tier club competition of Asia for the first time and are looking to make it further.
The return leg between the two sides will be held on August 28 in North Korea’s capital of Pyongyang.
The match will remain open for all the football spectators.
