Sean Lane’s Abahani wish fulfilled

Perennial rivals Abahani and Mohammedan were placed in the same group after seven years when the draw for the upcoming Walton Federation Cup, the season's curtain raising tournament featuring 13 teams, was held at the BFF House yesterday.

Muktijoddha Sangsad, too, were placed in the same group even though their participation in this 13-team tournament, beginning on December 22, is still uncertain.

Even though Abahani and Mohammedan have won Federation title 21 times, Mohammedan have not won a title since 2009. The Black and Whites have 10 titles in their cabinet against Abahani's 11.

The two teams have been placed in the same group for the first time since the 2013-14 season, when Mohammedan made it to the quarterfinals and Abahani the semifinals. Last year though Abahani were eliminated in the quarterfinals while Mohammedan went one better.

The draw saw Mohammedan coach Sean Lane's wish fulfilled. The British coach, who saw his side pitted in Group D, picked Abahani's name from the drawing pot.

"I wanted Abahani for two reasons. Firstly, they are a good team and it will be a good test for us. Secondly, it will be exciting for both the clubs, fans and the competition itself to have these two teams in the same group," Lane said after the draw.

Asked about the grouping, Lane said, "Every game will be tough because it is a pre-season and it depends on the local players, depends on the adaptation of foreign players into the system. No game will be easy but we have good opportunity to qualify and we will have to play well."

Abahani manager Satyajit Das Rupu was also excited to get Mohammedan in the same group.

"It is exciting and charming to be placed in same group because the expectation of fans revolves around the Abahani-Mohammedan match, which is termed as the Dhaka derby. Though our ultimate target is to win the title, we want to become group champions first and progress match by match because the boys have been out of action for nearly eight months," said Rupu.

Despite the draw, there is still uncertainty over the participation of Muktijoddha Sangsad, who are going through financial crisis. If they fail to participate, Uttar Baridhara Club will take their place in Group D.

"As we haven't got anything written from Muktijoddha Sangsad, our stance till now is that they are playing in the Federation Cup. We are trying to convince the club management. But the federation cannot provide money, it can only provide logistical and technical support," said BFF's senior vice-president Abdus Salam Murshedy.

Meanwhile, defending champions Bashundhara Kings, runners-up Rahmatganj MFS and rejuvenated Chattogram Abahani were pitted in Group C. Group A will feature Sheikh Russel KC, Sheikh Jamal DC and Bangladesh Police while Group B consists of Saif SC, Arambagh KS, Brothers Union and Uttar Baridhara Club.

Murshedy also said that they will follow health guidelines and Covid-19 will be made mandatory for players and officials.