Mohammedan Sporting Club and Bashundhara Kings will lock horns in the season鈥檚 curtain raiser, the Bangladesh Challenge Cup, at the Shaheed Dhirendranath Datta Stadium in Cumilla today.
The match is scheduled to begin at 2:30pm, and T Sports will televise the match live.
Bangladesh Premier League champions Mohammedan will aim for their first Challenge Cup title, while Federation Cup winners Kings will look to defend their crown after winning the maiden edition in 2024.聽
Alfaz Ahmed, adjudged the best coach of the previous BPL season, will be guiding Mohammedan for the second time, whereas Argentine coach Mario Gomez will take charge of the Kings in his first competitive assignment since his appointment in August.
In the previous edition under Romanian coach Valeriu Ti葲a, Kings came from behind to secure a 3-1 victory over Mohammedan and lift the trophy.
This time, Alfaz made his intentions clear ahead of the showdown: 鈥楽ince it is a championship fight, we will play for the title鈥� I have only had the team for a few days. Despite that, I am confident,鈥� Alfaz said at the pre-match press conference held at the BFF House on Wednesday.
He also acknowledged the strength of the opposition.
鈥榃e have respect for the Kings. They are a better team than us. They have always formed a better team in the last five or six seasons by bringing in high-quality coaches. This coach [Mario Gomez] is also a high-profile coach,鈥� he said.聽
Meanwhile, Kings coach Gomez was equally optimistic: 鈥極ur preparation is good. We have no problem because our players have been playing for the national team. We are ready for Friday鈥檚 match.鈥櫬�
Last year鈥檚 final was marred by a crowd fiasco when smoke flares were thrown onto the pitch, forcing a 10-minute suspension of play. The incident drew widespread criticism, including from Alfaz.
Both Alfaz and Kings captain Topu Barman have urged supporters to ensure a trouble-free match this time.
鈥榃e hope such incidents will not happen again鈥he responsibility to prevent such incidents lies on those in charge of security,鈥� said Alfaz.聽聽
鈥楢s a player, I hope such things will not repeat this time鈥� We want to play a peaceful game and that is better for both teams,鈥� said Topu.聽
