Abahani- Mohammedan derby Friday
Dhaka, February 16: Arch rivals Dhaka Abahani Ltd and Dhaka Mohammedan Sporting Club Ltd lock horns in the Grameenphone Bangladesh Premier League at the Bangabandhu National Stadium at 3:15 pm on Friday.
In the last encounter between the traditional crowdpullers of the football arena Abahani beat Mohammedan 3-2 in penalty shootout in the final of the Grameenphone Super Cup on August 2011. Dhaka Abahani Limited twice came back from behind to beat their traditional rivals after drawing the scheduled and extra time on 2-2.
Ali Akbar Parmoslemi, the Iranian coach of Dhaka Abahani was serious to the optimum level about the match. “It is a great match in the opening stage of the league, it is not a match that can be played in any kind of relaxed mood, and I have tried different formations in the previous matches and to get the right mental set up. Abahani will play a positive and attacking brand of football” said the Iranian.
Talking about his teams strong point the Iranian said his team has the speed and movement. “ I think Abahani is the speediest team in the league, its midfield can make the difference” said Parmoslemi.
Emeka Ezeugo, the Nigerian coach of Dhaka Mohammedan however was ready to fight. “You know Abahani-Mohammedan clash is always very exciting and we have to use that excitement. But it would have been better had we get some time to gain some confidence with some win against some lowly budgeted team” said the former world cup player.
“You know the current state of Mohammedan. They are not in the position Mohammedan deserve to be. There are some young players like Wahed and Yeasin who are talented but they are still very young. They do not have the confidence and thus they continuously lose the ball possession, we have to fight it out” said Emeka.
Abahani and Mohammedan in Professional League
Citycell Bangladesh League 2007
24/03/2007: Abahani-1(Joy 43) vs MSC-0
16/06/2007: Abahani-0 vs MSC-0
Citycell Bangladesh League 2008
24/10/2008: Abahani-2 (Emeka 40, 55) vs MSC-2 (Bukola 20, Robin 90+1)
24/01/2009: Abahani-2 (Emily 67, Emeka 88) vs MSC-1 (Bukola 45)
Grameenphone Bangladesh League 2009
19/03/2009: Abahani-0 vs MSC-0
02/06/2010: MSC-2 (Emily 30, Mamunul Islam 75) vs Abahani-1 (Awudu Ibrahim 42)
Grameenphone Bangladesh League 2010
13/03/2011: Abahani-1 (Twum Frank 65) vs MSC-0
24/06/2011: Abahani-0 vs MSC-0