Sports
MMC prepare for Aasmayi test
Nepal’s Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) are taking on Afghan league champions Shaheen Aasmayi in their second Group ‘B’ match of the Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup football tournament at the MA Aziz Stadium in Chittagong, Bangladesh on Tuesday.Nepal’s Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) are taking on Afghan league champions Shaheen Aasmayi in their second Group ‘B’ match of the Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup football tournament at the MA Aziz Stadium in Chittagong, Bangladesh on Tuesday.
MMC had opened the tournament with a 2-0 win over local side Mohammedan Sporting Club and they would look to continue their momentum to seal a place in the semi-finals. With Aasmayi desperate to open their account after suffering a 3-1 defeat from another local team Chittagong Abahani Limited, MMC could expect a tough contest.
An outright victory on Wednesday will put MCC in the last four with one match in hand, while a draw will make them wait for the result of the day’s second match between the two local sides. MMC will play their last league game with Chittagong Abahani on Friday.
MMC coach Chhiring Lhopsang Gurung said his side will be tested by Aasmayi. “Aasmayi are in a do-or-die situation after losing their first game. I know that they will give their everything in the game tomorrow because they are desperate to reach the second round. We will also be in a pressure to beat them and enter the last four,” said Gurung on the eve of the match.
Gurung added his boys need to convert the chances to gain an upper hand in the game. “We have to make use of the opportunities to make sure we do not struggle in the game,” added Gurung hinting of making changes for the Aasmayi match. Midfielder Bikram Lama, a substitute against Mohammedan, is certain to start on Wednesday, while the coach is also mulling to include midfield duo Nirajan Malla and Dona Thapa in the starting XI.
Skipper Anil Gurung said MMC is all prepared to take on Aasmayi. “The victory in the first match has boosted our morale and our training sessions have gone pretty well either. We are hopeful to return with a positive result in the second game. We want to make sure that we go through before our last league game,” said the skipper.
MMC went through a light training session on Tuesday having played their first match on Sunday. The top two teams from each group enter the semi-finals. TC Sports of Maldives, a team from where Nepal’s first choice goalkeeper Kiran Chemjong plays, have already made it to the semi-finals from Group ‘A’ with one match in hand.