The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

After a 13-day break, the Citycell 2nd B. League resumes Monday at 4:30 pm with a high voltage match between holders Dhaka Abahani Limited and Dhaka Mohammedan SC at the Bangabandhu National Stadium (BNS).

Private satellite TV Channel i will telecast the match live.

On the eve of the crucial match, both the teams were found excited as well as hopeful about winning. They want to make a good start in the league after a prolonged gap due to national duty.

Addressing a press conference at the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) conference room Sunday afternoon, Abahani manager Satyajit Das Rupu said the importance of Abahani-Mohammedan match is different.

He said the league was halted a long time and this might affect his boys' performance a little.

The Abahani manager said that their win in the last five league matches would be an extra advantage for them prior to the key match tomorrow.

"We are fully ready for the match and want to maintain our supremacy in the league table with a win in the match."

Echoing the team manger, Abahani skipper Nazrul Islam said they are confident of winning the match against Mohammedan. "We want to maintain our winning run in the league."

Asked about the reason behind his confidence, he said Abahani team is more organized than others and this will be an added advantage.

About opponent Nigerian striker Alamu Bukola Olalekin, Nazrul said Bukola is a very good player, "but we have a special plan for him."

Veteran Abahani coach Amalesh Sen said they want to win the Monday's match playing good football.

Mohammedan SC coach Maruful Haq said the main strength of his team is "speed of play."

"Abahani is a very strong side and they have some good players," he said replying to a query.

About their not so emphatic performance in the league, the Mohammedan coach said they have already identified some lacking in the team and are trying to overcome those.

Asked about injured defender Hasan Al Mamun, he said Mamun is gradually recovering, but it would not be possible to say right now whether he would able to play the Monday's match or not.

Mohammedan SC captain Jewel Rana was also hopeful about playing good football against Abahani.

B. League committee chairman Abdus Salam Murshedi was present at the press conference.

Dhaka Abahani dominates the league table with 15 points from six matches, followed by Sheikh Russell KC 14 points (7 matches), Chittagong Mohammedan 13 points (8 matches), Dhaka Mohammedan 11 points (5 matches), Brothers Union Club 10 points (6 matches), Rahmatganj MFS 10 points (7 matches), Chittagong Abahani 10 points (9 matches), Farashganj SC 9 points (7 matches), Arambagh KS 8 points (6 matches), Muktijoddha Samgsad KC 4 points (7 matches) and Khulna Abahani 3 points (8 matches).

Partial fixture:

8th round:

Nov 25: Brothers Union vs Sheikh Russell (BNS)

Nov 27: Dhaka Mohammedan vs Rahmatganj MFS (BNS)

Nov 28: Muktijoddha SKC vs Dhaka Abahani (BNS)

9th round:

Nov 30: Farashganj SC vs Dhaka Mohammedan (BNS)

Dec 1 : Dhaka Abahani vs Dhaka Mohammedan (BNS)