The hosts Chittagong Abahani Limited will face a huge challenge when they take on  East Bengal of Kolkata in the final match of the Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup football tournament today. The match will kick of at the MA Aziz Stadium in Chittagong at 7:40pm. Chittagong Abahani, who at least deserves some credits for qualifying in the final as hosts team, while they began the tournament with a shocking defeat to today’s opponents East Bengal.
Before booking their final berth East Bengal moved into the semifinal as unbeaten group champions beginning the campaign with 2-1 win over Ctg Abahani, 3-1 win over against Karachi Electric and goalless draw against Dhaka Abahani Limited.
However, both the sides think it would be not easy task to win the match though they are optimistic to win the inaugural title of the tournament being organised after the name of late Sheikh Kamal, the founder of Abahani Krira Chakra in 1972. Ctg Abahani improved gradually in the tournament. After the shocking starter, they defeated one of the favourites Dhaka Abahani Limited by a solitary goal and outplayed Karachi Electric FC by 4-2 to make room in the last fours.
The hosts stormed into the final after eliminating another strong side De Spin Ghar of Afghanistan by 3-1 in the semifinal. So the chance to win the final is almost 50-50 but certainly the hosts would enjoy their home ground advantage backing by the impartial crowd.
Biswajit Bhatacharjee, coach of the East Bengal, in his pre-match conference yesterday plainly said that they will play free from any ill feeling, as his boys have already crossed all the hurdles. Shafiqul Islam Manik the coach of Ctg Abahani does not like to say abut revenge but he was concentrating on winning the match, as he said, “I don’t want to say anything like revenge but we will have to win the match if we want to win the title. If we can keep our confidence level high and can create pressure on the opponents then I think we would be able to win the match.”
“East Bengal is strong team, their fitness level is also better than us. They are habituated to play in such like a competition and keep their cool in this situation. But I think my boys also have experiences of playing in the top level.” “Both the sides crossed the hurdle of death of group so it not easy for anybody, I hope my boys will overcome with their morale strength,” said Manik.  “You see, we have here with huge stress or pressure. Now, I think there is no pressure on us.”
About the opponents, Biswajit, the former Indian national colour said, “We beat this team but it was the first match, now the team is fully matured and they have also organiaed their combination gradually.” “Overall, I think you will have a very good match tomorrow,” said Biswajit. Deepak Kumar Mandal, captain of East Bengal said, “I have nothing to say but to wait for the tomorrow’s final.”
“We also faced a local team in the semifinal and will play the final also against a home team. It will be difficult for us,” replied Deepak to a query. Ctg Abahani captain Zahid Hossain Emily said the team has improved a lot after the first match. “We are now an organised side and we would definitely try to capitalize the home ground advantage.”