Two country’s most popular side, arch-rivals Abahani Ltd and Mohammedan Sporting Club will lock horn in the Saif Power Battery Bangladesh Premier League at 7:15 pm at the Bangabandhu National Stadium here today (Monday).
Abahani, the defending champions will try to bounce back to the winning ways after suffering a shock 0-1 upset loss against Farashganj while the traditional black and white outfit, Mohammedan will try to avoid the disgrace of losing three consecutive matches in the top flight football league of the country.
Mohammedan lost their two matches till date to Sheikh Jamal and Chittagong Abahani while Abahani after winning their first encounter against newcomers Saif Sporting was brought down to earth by Farashganj.
Under the tutelage of Serbian coach Drago Mamic, the five-time professional league champions Abahani have played short passing football from the beginning of the season.
The defending champions are the best team in the 12 team competition and they have the arsenal of beating any team. Mohammedan, on the other hand will be taking the field without their coach Syed Nayeemuddin who is in Kolkata for personal reason.
Assistan coach Mizanur Rahman Don will be guiding the team from the sideline. Mohammedan, formed with relatively aged players showed lack of coordination in the field in their last matches and had to bite the earth in two defeats.
Scoring efficiency can make the all the difference as Emeka Darlington, Landing Darboe, Saaduddin, Rubel Mia and Nabib Newaz Jibon make Abahani a force to reckon with.
Mohammedans Nigerian forward Nkwocha Kingsley, veteran Zahid Hasan Emily and Toklis Ahmed carry the flag of their offence but are yet to deliver the best for the team.
In the BPL the two sides have met 18 times till date with the statistics remaining in Abahani’s favour in the last 10 years of professional league history Abahani have won six times and Mohammedan won four while eight encounters ended in draw.
