Bangladesh Premier Football League champions Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club will take on Nepal A-Division League champions Manang Marshyangdi Club in the first semifinal of the King’s Cup at Changlimithang Stadium today. The match will kick off at 4pm.
This is the first time Sheikh Jamal are taking part in the King’s Cup and they have made it through to the last four after remaining unbeaten in their group stage matches. The Bangladesh top-flight champions have exhibited impressive football, especially in their last group match against Mohun Bagan where they outplayed the Kolkata giants 5-3.
The victory against the Indian side enabled Sheikh Jamal to top Group A and subsequently avoid I-League club Pune FC in the last four. Pune are the only side so far with a hundred percent record.
In Manang, Sheikh Jamal will be up against one of the most successful clubs in Nepal’s top-flight. Not only have they won seven national league titles, Manang are also the defending champions of the King’s Cup.
Sheikh Jamal will miss the services of their Haitian forward Wedson Anselme who received his marching orders in their last group stage match against Mohun Bagan. In the absence of Wedson, Landing Darboe’s set pieces will be vital to Sheikh Jamal’s cause. Landing grabbed a brace against Mohun Bagan.
In the second semifinal, two I-League clubs - Pune and Mohun Bagan - will encounter each other for a berth in the final.
Meanwhile, the other Bangladesh representative, four-time professional league champions Abahani Limited, crashed out in the group stages. The Dhaka giants returned home yesterday.
