Dhaka, February 26: Both TC Sports Club of Maldives and Manang Marshyangdi Club of Nepal are ready and prepared to lock horns in the first semi final of the ongoing Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup 2017 on Monday (February 27).

The teams’ coaches and captains talked about their hopes and plans to go through to the final during a pre-match press conference in the conference room of M. A. Aziz Stadium, Chittagong on Sunday.

Talking about the upcoming match, TC Sports Club head coach Nizam Mohamed said, “It’ll be no different than the other games.”

“We’re well prepared for the game and we’ll try to show the same consistency as before. Our target is to win the game,” he added.

TC Sports skipper Nafiu Ali said, “Our first target is to win tomorrow’s match. And only after that we’ll think about the final.”

Asked about opponent Manang, Nizam Mohamed said, “They’re definitely a strong team. That is why they’re in the top 4. They’re very competitive as well. We should not underestimate them.”

Though he complained that playing 3 games inside a week did take a toll on the recovery of the relatively young and inexperienced players of his team, he also expressed his satisfaction with the performance and endurance of his players.

Questioned about Maldives’s loss to Nepal in the last edition of the SAFF Championship, the TC coach said, “I don’t carry history on my back. It’s only there to review. It doesn’t always repeat itself. To make history is the new challenge for us.”

Asked whether his team has any loopholes, Nizam Mohamed said, “It’s the duty of the opponent to find loopholes in our team, not ours. However, there’re always areas to improve our game.”

After TC Sports, the head coach and captain of Manang Marshyangdi Club talked to reporters at the press conference.

“It’ll be a tough game. They topped their group and they have some good players. But we’re in the semis too. So, we’re not that bad either. It’s anybody’s game,” said Chhiring Lopsang Gurung, head coach of Manang Marshyangdi Club.

Anil Gurung, the club’s skipper said, “We’ll give our best fight and play our best football so that the spectators can enjoy the game.”

Asked which team is favourite to win the game, Chhiring Gurung said, “Both teams are favourite; neither has any edge. The team which will avail their chances will win the game.”

“The game won’t be very physical as none of us are physical sides. It’ll depend on tactics,” he added.

Reminded about Nepal’s win over Maldives in the last SAFF Championship, he said, “It can definitely inspire us. But that’s it. It’ll be this bunch of players who’ll play tomorrow. And they’ll try to give their best to win us the game.”

Asked about any specific individual on whom his team will mostly rely for success, Chhiring Gurung said, “It’s a team game. So, I can’t single out any player to rely on. We’ll play as a team.”

Inquired if his team will play an attacking game or will rely on counter-attack, he replied that it was not decided yet and that they’ll only decide so after the last practice session.

Overall, as both the teams are confident and no team have any injury issues; an exciting first semi-final of Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup 2017 is beaconing for the fans to enjoy.

The first semi-final, between TC Sports Club of Maldives and Manang Marshyangdi Club of Nepal, will kick-off at 6:30 pm at the M.A. Aziz Stadium, Chittagong on Monday (February 27).