North Korean’s April 25 Sports Club arrived on Saturday in the city to play for the first leg of inter-zonal playoff semifinal of AFC Club Cup against Abahani Limited scheduled to be held at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on August 21.
April 25, 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, April 25 got the better of two Hong Kong Clubs and one club from Taiwan in Group I.
The traditional sky blue Dhanmondi ‘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 April 25 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.
The return leg between the two sides will be held on August 28 in North Korea’s capital of Pyongyang.
