Dhaka: Abahani Limited Dhaka’s head coach Maruful Haque expressed optimism about his team’s chances against Muras United of Kyrgyzstan. Abahani Limited is set to face Muras United in a home match of the AFC Challenge League, scheduled to take place tomorrow at the National Stadium at 5 pm.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Maruful Haque shared his thoughts at a pre-match press conference held at the Bangladesh Football Federation Bhaban. Despite the initial plan to have four weeks of preparation, the team managed to prepare for twenty-six days. He acknowledged Muras United as formidable opponents, noting their European style of play and facilities akin to European clubs. However, Maruf expressed confidence that if his players execute their game plan and defend against Muras United’s strong points, they could achieve a positive result.
Maruf also mentioned his awareness of the capabilities of the foreign players on his team. He is eager to see them perform at their best, having already shown fifty percent of their potential in training. He hopes they can deliver the remaining fifty percent in the upcoming match on Tuesday.
Although he admitted that Muras United is technically and tactically superior, Maruf is keen to leverage the mental advantage to succeed in this challenging encounter. He emphasized the importance of not putting undue pressure on his players, advising them to play their natural game without fear, even though home advantage can sometimes be a double-edged sword.
Asaduzzaman Bablu, the new captain of Abahani Limited Dhaka, echoed his coach’s sentiments, highlighting the good preparation over the last twenty-six days. The captain is hopeful for a positive outcome if the players follow the coach’s plan. Bablu emphasized taking a match-by-match approach in the league, focusing on qualifying before considering future rounds.
From the perspective of the opposition, Muras United’s head coach, Puchkov Sergiy, stated that they are taking the game seriously as it marks their first participation in the AFC Challenge League. The league presents a new challenge, and they have prepared thoroughly for the tournament. Sergiy acknowledged the potential pressure of playing an away match but expressed confidence in his team’s experience in handling such situations.
Zhaparov Amir, captain of Muras United, shared his optimism and preparation for the match, hoping for a victory against Abahani Limited on Tuesday.