Dhaka, April 15 (BDNEWS) – Country's two premier football teams, Brothers Union and Muktijoddha Sangsad, meet Saturday at the Bangabandhu National Stadium (BNS) in the final of the Independence Day Gold Cup Football tournament to clinch the season's first trophy in football.
Prime Minister Khaleda Zia is expected to witness the final and distribute prizes. The final match begins at 4:00pm at BNS. The final will roll into direct tiebreaker if the match fails to produce result in the scheduled 90-minute.
Bangladesh football federation organised the tournament in cooperation with the ministry of liberation war affairs to mark the Independence Day.
Both the teams are positive for victory by showing better performance, which may be affected a bit, as both the teams apprehended, due to break in rhythm of playing. Both teams were out of competitive football almost for half a month though Muktijoddha Sangsad played an international match in the mean time.
Coach Safiqul Islam Manik Friday said, "Muktijoddha will play all-out for Cup as my boys have been performing well in previous matches and I believe they can carry on their rhythm."
Manik said it was right that Muktijoddha went 0-1 down against Brothers Union in the postponed 13-minute final, but that result would not effect Saturday's final as every match start with new dimension.
The inspiration of beating Nebitchi FC of Turkmenistan in the AFC Cup earlier this month will certain boost Muktijoddha Sangsad and the re-joining of striker Moni and medio Pappu, who suffered from one match suspension, will also strengthen their attacking line up.
Brothers coach Wazed Gazi, one other hand, worried a bit due to the break of continuation of games. But, he believed tomorrow his boys would play for title.
"The day (previous final) was in favour for us and we took the lead with scoring first in 11th minute by Russian striker Edward Victor," Gazi said, "Now, we have to start from the first."
The Gopibagh outfit Brothers Union, however, will miss the service of Russian scorer Edward, who has been suffering from illness due to country's hot weather.
"It's true that we feel the absence of Edward in the final as he was in peak form," Gazi said, "I think Brothers, except Edward, will be able to reach their target."
Moroccan recruit Adel, who played only one match and struck two goals, will replace Edward for attacking zone.
Gazi rated the Muktijoddha's are better than the Gopibagh outfit saying, the opponents are more organised as Manik have been handling the team for four to five years and I have been working with Brothers Union for just few months."
Muktijoddha Sangsad will field their best forward line up, comprising the regular scorers Khanchan, Moni and Nigerian Paul. On the other hand, Brothers Union have a strong defense line-up with Jewel Rana, Mashud Rana and Mohammad Sujan.
Gazi admitted that goalie Aminul Islam is an extra advantage for Muktijoddha Sangsad KC as there is no alternative to Aminul in the country.
BDNEWS/ 1634 hrs
