Mohammedan Sporting Club will be on advantageous position when they take on bitter rivals Abahani in the last match of the Green Delta Insurance Premier Division Hockey League at the Maulana Bhasani National Stadium today.
The last affair of the league has virtually turned into a title-deciding match as the Black and Whites who have won all their 12 matches so far need only a point against arch-rivals Abahani to lift the coveted trophy for the first time since 2002.
On the other hand, Abahani with 11 wins in 12 matches need more than a victory against Mohammedan to regain the title that they last won jointly with Usha Krira Chakra in 2006.
If Abahani win today's match, both teams will be level on points and a title deciding play-off match will then take place to ascertain the champions.
The title race has been confined to the two giants basically due to the non-participation of defending champions Usha Kria Chakra following the controversial and unilateral decision on the Club Cup hockey final.
Except the first-leg battle between the two giants, neither Mohammedan nor Abahani faced too much resistance from other teams as there is huge gulf of difference in terms of strength between the two giants and lightweights.
Star-studded Mohammedan have been playing some amazing hockey from the beginning of the league and their lowest margin of victory so far came was a 3-0 win over today's opponents Abahani in the first-leg. Mohammedan desperate to keep the momentum as well as break title jinx of 8 years.
"I think we are on the right track winning 12 matches on the trot," said coach Barkatullah Chapal adding that they would play for victory rather than a draw which is all they need to become champions.
Malaysian forward Chua Boon arrived in the city yesterday to join Mohammedan's Pakistani forward Mohammad Sabbir.
Except a defeat against Mohammedan, a youthful Abahani have also been playing fine hockey and lack of experience seems to be the only problem for the Sky Blues, though the inclusion of four Pakistani players in Sohail Abbas, Tariq Aziz, Modasser Ali Khan has diminished their problems a bit, but the lack of prowess is still a concern.
"We have nothing to lose against Mohammedan, and I believe we have enough strength to beat Mohammedan who will be under pressure to win against us," said Abahani coach Kawsar Ali.
Ali said that they would try to avail the early chances which they had failed to capitalise on in the first meeting between two sides
source:dailystar
