Chittagong Abahani Limited and Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra will face real test when they will take on each other in the second quarterfinal match of the Walton Federation Cup Football today at the Bangabandhu National Stadium at 6pm.
Chittagong Abahani, though won their both the group leg matches but had to work hard to beat Arambagh and Mohammedan Sporting Club while Sheikh Russel crossed the first phase as group runners-up defeating lowly Farashganj and went down to Sheikh Jamal conceding defeat in tie-breaker affairs.
However, both the Russel and Ctg Abahani could figure out their true potency when they will play against almost similar strength opponents and obviously face a tough challenge, as both the sides eyeing to move ahead.
In the previous season they played four times and Chittagong Abahani won twice while rest of two were drawn matches.
Coach Saiful Bari Titu of Ctg Abahani Limited and his Russel counterpart Shafiqul Islam Manik, both said they have the prospect of winning the match.
Titu, said, “It is difficult to compare the strength between two teams, actually it will be proved in the field, the team who would be able to penetrate on opponents area, they would go ahead.”
“Matches of  knockout phase is always different ball game, there is no option but to win to move ahead, Sheikh Russel is a strong side, as I watched them their fitness level is also good, five players came from Abahani, so they are more strong side,” Titu evaluated about the opponents.
But the experienced Titu, said, “I am confidence with my team, then rest of depend on the performance of the players on the day.
Manik was also paid due respect to opponents, as he said, “I have every respect for Chittagong Abahani and their plus pint is that they came to quarterfinal with winning both the matches in the group stage.”
“Certainly we will go to field with the objective of win the match but you can’t say advance about win, because everything depend on the performance on that very day.”