Having finished in the bottom three of the Bangladesh Premier Football League for the best part of the last few seasons, Chittagong Abahani are now pitting their wits against the top clubs from the south Asian countries.
Their dreams are almost close to being realised and the expectation among the local fans is also rising with each passing day.
Following their inspiring wins against four-time professional league champions Dhaka Abahani and Pakistan Premier League champions Karachi Electric in the group stages, the port-city outfit are now confident ahead of their semi-final clash against Afghan champions De Sphin Ghar Bazan. The last-four tie gets underway at MA Aziz Stadium in Chittagong at 7:40pm and Channel Nine will telecast it live.
Having been placed in the group of death, the hosts staged a brilliant comeback after losing their opening match against East Bengal and it was their loanee winger Zahid Hossain who made it possible. The national star registered his name in the scoresheet in the last two matches, including a scintillating hattrick against Karachi Electric.
Without revealing names, Bazan head coach Wahidullah Wahidi mentioned yesterday that he is keeping close tabs on three Chittagong Abahani players. It goes without saying that Zahid is one-third of the trio.
“We will keep our eyes on three of their players. We know some of their weaknesses and will work on it,” Wahidi informed the media on the eve of their last-four encounter.
This is the first time the Afghan top-flight champions are taking part in an international tournament ever since their inception three years ago.
