Dhaka, December 27: Traditional crowd pullers Dhaka Abahani, the defending champions and Dhaka Mohammedan lock horns in the Grameenphone Bangladesh Premier League derby at the Bangabandhu National Stadium at 4: 30 pm on Friday. It will the 11th encounter of the two arch rivals in the professional league and among them Abahani has won three, Mohammedan has smiled twice and the other five were drawn. Both the teams have the same 10 points from five matches and a defeat or loss will be offer further advantages to Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi who has played four matches but has the same 10 points. Abahani manager Satyajit Das Rupu presented a realistic approach. “We have lost the last match and now the players are free from the fear of losing anymore, it is the time of looking forward and Abahani will start their new campaign in a new day” said Rupu. Abahani will be missing their hardworking midfielder Abdul Baten Majumdar Komol but will be welcoming their playmaker Awudu Ibrahim who missed the last match due to a foot injury. Rupu was hoping for the total teamwork and to avail the chances. “When the opponent is Mohammedan its some added pressure, I hope the players will be struck around the plans and scoring form the chances that fall in the way remains the key” said Rupu. Mohammedan will be trying to remember the success of the last meeting where they pulled out a 2-0 victory in the last edition of the league on May 23rd this year. Coach Saiful Bari Titu returns to the field after recovering from jaundice and was hopeful of continuing his consistency. “We have played some steady football in the last couple of matches and want to continue the same brand of football against the arch rivals, I think coping with the situation is most important, we will play accordingly with the situation, the foreign players I think, has outlined their combinations but teamwork will be the key to success” said Titu.
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