Amid the forecast for rain, Abahani Limited take on Maldives outfit Club Eagles in the second preliminary round of AFC Cup at Sylhet District Stadium Wednesday with the goal of advancing to the next stage.
The encounter kicks off at 3:15pm around which time there could be rain and thunderstorm, according to AccuWeather, the weather forecasting service company.
It is difficult to execute the regular playing approach during inclement weather as a result of which Abahani coach Mario Lemos is focusing on winning the game at all costs.
“Football is not an indoor sport,” Lemos told reporters in the pre-match press conference Tuesday, adding, “In Bangladesh, we could get everything – hot, rain except snow. That’s the beauty of the game and here you could be ready in any type of condition.”
The Portuguese tactician continued, “The main goal is to win the match and do everything we can. We know if it’s raining too much it will not be a beautiful match but it’s not about beautiful match. It’s about winning and going into the next stage.”
Eagles went to Sylhet earlier than the former Bangladesh Premier League champions and current runners-up.
The two South Asian sides have been training in the northeastern city in the last few days.
The Sky Blues will be missing three key players from the domestic season which concluded last month.
Costa Rican World Cupper and top-scoring forward Daniel Colindres, Brazilian midfielder Raphael Augusto and Nigerian forward Peter Nworah have departed and returned home.
The Dhanmondi giants made five new signings for the AFC Cup from different Bangladesh clubs in a bid to fill the gaps and strengthen the squad - Caribbean forward Stewart Cornelius, Uzbek midfielder Muzaffar Muzaffarov, Nigerian forward Ifeagwu Ojukwu, Egyptian midfielder Mostofa Mahmoud Kahraba and Brazilian defender Danilo Augusto.
Lemos earlier admitted that it would be a challenge to make adjustment between the new and current players in such a short time.
Eagles, on the other hand, played their last Dhivehi Premier League match against leaders Maziya Sports and Recreation Club last week and drew 2-2 to sit second in the table two points behind the table toppers.
