Bashundhara Kings captain Emon Mahmud and his Sheikh Russell KC counterpart Ashraful Islam Rana (R) pose with the Independence Cup trophy at the BFF House on Tuesday. — New Age photo
The new powerhouse in domestic football Bashundhara Kings will be looking for their first silverware in top-flight football when they take on Sheikh Russell Krira Chakra in the Independence Cup final at the Bangabandhu National Stadium today.
Kings came close to winning a title in their debut season at the top-tier when they reached the Federation Cup final in November before they agonizingly lost to Abahani Limited 1-3.
Big-spenders Kings exacted a revenge on Abahani by defeating the sky blue outfit on penalties in the Independence Cup semi-final, but still have a job in hand to realise their first serious goal — a title.
‘We will play our best tomorrow to remove the grief of losing Federation Cup title. We are on positive note and confident to win the final,’ said Kings’ Spanish head coach Oscar Wilian Bruzon Barreras during a press conference ahead of the final.
Kings will be looking to their Costa Rican World Cupper Deniel Colindres and Kyrgyzstan midfielder Baktyiar Duishobekove, who dazzled throughout the tournament to help them emerge as a title contender.
Goalkeeper Anisur Rahman Zico, the hero of the semi-final, who denied Abahani twice in the penalty shootout and scored one for his side’s 7-6 win also provided Kings some boost ahead of the final.
Expecting a competitive game, Kings captain Emon Mahmud announced that his team is fully ready for the title push against Russell.
’There is no injury in our team. We are confident and hopeful to win the game,’ said the captain.
Russell head coach Saiful Bari Titu, who has a proven track record in domestic football, said he was completely aware of the strength of Kings but insisted that they would go to the field only with an aim to win the title.
‘We want to display a good game to become champions. No matter [Kings] are new or old, those who will make less mistake and will able to give full concentration, will have better chances to win the title, he said.
Titu was praised for defending wall formation techniques against attacking games as his side forced a goalless draw against both their Group D rivals Kings and Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club before they beat Chattogram Abahani, and Brothers Union by identical 2-0 margins respectively in quarter-final and semi-final.
Russell’s captain Ashraful Islam Rana put an emphasis on scoring an early goal, which he said would be very important to turn the game in favour.
‘Both sides will have equal chances in the final. Those, who will score first, will take the advantage,’ he said.
The final will begin at 4:30pm and will be televised live in BTV.
Source: New Age.
