Domestic football returns with Fed Cup

The Walton Federation Cup will usher in the return of domestic football after a one-month break following the national team's engagement in the Asian Cup Qualifier play-offs.

On the opening day, Mohammedan SC will take on Rahmatganj MFS at 4:00pm while Abahani will play Arambagh KS at 7:30pm under floodlights. Both matches will be held at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.

The Federation Cup, which is generally the season's curtain-raising tournament, has been pushed to the second tournament of season this time after the KFC Independence was held in April.

During the KFC Independence Cup, the participating teams got little time to prepare and teams like Mohammedan, Muktijoddha Sangsad and Brothers Union failed to make it to the last four following the emergence of new powerhouse and Independence Cup champions Chittagong Abahani and the recognised powerhouse Abahani, Sheikh Jamal and Sheikh Russel.

The title race is expected to be contested by those giants again, but the teams like Arambagh, Team BJMC and Rahmatganj may pose a significant threat.

The Federation Cup is also set to be the comeback stage for eight footballers of three clubs who missed out on the Independence Cup following instructions from a High Court bench and the return of five national footballers will definitely strengthen Chittagong Abahni, while defending champions Sheikh Jamal will be weakened by the temporary departure of striker Emeka Darlington.

Abahani have strengthened with the appointment of Austrian coach George Kottan, while Sheikh Russel have been plagued by injuries as seven of their starting eleven are nursing injuries.