Sports
Victory a must for Manang
Under pressure to deliver, Nepal’s Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) are taking on hosts Chittagong Abahani Limited in their final Group ‘B’ match of the Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup football tournament in Bangladesh on Friday.Under pressure to deliver, Nepal’s Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) are taking on hosts Chittagong Abahani Limited in their final Group ‘B’ match of the Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup football tournament in Bangladesh on Friday.
MMC had begun the tournament with a 2-0 victory over Mohammedan Sporting Club but a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Shaheen Asmayee on Wednesday made life difficult for them to grab the top two spots in four-team pool. MMC are third in the table with three points from two games and only a victory against Chittagong Abahani will make sure they are not troubled by remaining equation.
Chittagong Abahani currently lead the standings with four points and behind them are Asmayee who have three points. Abahani posed themselves as pool favourites sweeping aside Asmayee 3-1 in their first game but after being held to a goalless draw by Moham-medan 0-0, the Group ‘B’ was blown wide open.
Mohammedan have one point at the bottom but they can also make it to the semi-finals on goal difference if they defeat Asmayee in the day’s second match provided MMC brush aside Chittagong Abahani at their home ground in MA Aziz Stadium. Chittagong can make it through even with a draw but the stalemate will make MMC wait for the result of the second match.
MMC coach Chhiring Lopsang Gurung knows his side is in a do-or-die situation. “I know a draw is not enough for us to go through and we have no other alternative than victory. We cannot rely on the result of other’s games and settle the things on our own,” said Gurung admitting his side was blown apart in the second match against Asmayee.
“We didn’t play as expected in the second match. Chittagong are a good side but we have already watched them play. If we convert the opportunities that come our way, we can get the better of them and go through,” added the coach. Skipper Anil Gurung termed the match as the final.
“We are in need of an outright victory and a draw won’t do. So this match is like a final for us. Chittagong have home advantage and a draw is enough for them. But we need three points. We are hopeful that we return with victory,” said Gurung.