Abahani face Saif SC in Fed Cup opener today

Prize money increased by Tk 1 lakh

Walton Federation Cup Football, season’s inaugural tournament will begin today with the reigning champions Abahani Limited (Dhaka) taking on SAIF Power Sporting Club in the opening match at 5pm at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.
 The second match will take place between Brothers Union and Team BJMC at 7:15pm. Twelve teams of the Bangladesh Premier League are taking part in the Federation Cup.
It would be the first time that six teams will battle for the trophy with almost same strength, as the championship fight will not be limited among two or three teams.
It is also the first time that none of the 12 teams is being considered as the top seeded when half a dozen teams are almost evenly balanced, in accordance with the clubs fabricated their respective squad for coming season.
Though in black and white the six teams – Abahani Limited, Sheikh Jamal, Sheikh Russell, Chittagong Abahani Limited, Mohammedan Sporting Club and the SAIF Power Sporting are the strong sides and almost equally favorites, but Muktijoddha and Brothers will also not leave the ground without fight.
However, this time it will be very close contest among six teams to win the cup, as all are ready with taking adequate preparation.      
Meanwhile, an uncertainty is over the start of Federation Cup on due time when seven off 12 teams produced their four demands to the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) to pay the dues of they clubs and to ensure some facilities in the coming season.
The league committee of the BFF, who had a meeting with the representatives from the participants teams on Thursday, after a long discussion, they (BFF) doubled the participating money in the Fed Cup, form one lakhs to two, the championship prize money also increased to five lakhs and runners-up to four lakhs.
The opening match might be an exciting when Abahani Limited will try to make a winning start on their way to defend the title and the SAIF Power Sporting, the newly-promoted in the professional arena will also work heart and soul to make their journey with a winning note.
Meanwhile, the newcomer also formed a formidable team and drew the attention of all organising a month-long conditioning camp in Kolkata, India where they played three preparation matches.
The way they have been preparing the team and signed up some premier performers in the domestic soccer, appointed two foreign coaches, means they would throw huge challenge for the traditional giants.
On the other hands, Abahani Limited, who were in huge trouble after conceding three defeats in a row in the AFC Cup competition, strongly bounced back after having a deserving 2-0 victory against Bengaluru of India in their previous home match earlier of this month. So, it is expected that the season will get some excitement from the first encounter between the newcomer and the traditional powerhouse.    

Abahani face Saif SC in Fed Cup opener today

Prize money increased by Tk 1 lakh

Walton Federation Cup Football, seasons inaugural tournament will begin today with the reigning champions Abahani Limited (Dhaka) taking on SAIF Power Sporting Club in the opening match at 5pm at the Bangabandhu National Stadium. The second match will take place between Brothers Union and Team BJMC at 7:15pm. Twelve teams of the Bangladesh Premier League are taking part in the Federation Cup. It would be the first time that six teams will battle for the trophy with almost same strength, as the championship fight will not be limited among two or three teams. It is also the first time that none of the 12 teams is being considered as the top seeded when half a dozen teams are almost evenly balanced, in accordance with the clubs fabricated their respective squad for coming season. Though in black and white the six teams Abahani Limited, Sheikh Jamal, Sheikh Russell, Chittagong Abahani Limited, Mohammedan Sporting Club and the SAIF Power Sporting are the strong sides and almost equally favorites, but Muktijoddha and Brothers will also not leave the ground without fight. However, this time it will be very close contest among six teams to win the cup, as all are ready with taking adequate preparation. Meanwhile, an uncertainty is over the start of Federation Cup on due time when seven off 12 teams produced their four demands to the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) to pay the dues of they clubs and to ensure some facilities in the coming season. The league committee of the BFF, who had a meeting with the representatives from the participants teams on Thursday, after a long discussion, they (BFF) doubled the participating money in the Fed Cup, form one lakhs to two, the championship prize money also increased to five lakhs and runners-up to four lakhs. The opening match might be an exciting when Abahani Limited will try to make a winning start on their way to defend the title and the SAIF Power Sporting, the newly-promoted in the professional arena will also work heart and soul to make their journey with a winning note. Meanwhile, the newcomer also formed a formidable team and drew the attention of all organising a month-long conditioning camp in Kolkata, India where they played three preparation matches. The way they have been preparing the team and signed up some premier performers in the domestic soccer, appointed two foreign coaches, means they would throw huge challenge for the traditional giants. On the other hands, Abahani Limited, who were in huge trouble after conceding three defeats in a row in the AFC Cup competition, strongly bounced back after having a deserving 2-0 victory against Bengaluru of India in their previous home match earlier of this month. So, it is expected that the season will get some excitement from the first encounter between the newcomer and the traditional powerhouse.