Citycell Super Cup: Russel, Ctg Abahani to correct mistakes

Monday, March 9, 2009

Citycell Super Cup
Russel, Ctg Abahani to correct mistakes

Sheikh Russel coach Wajed Gazi (R) addresses a press briefing as captain Mahmudul Hasan looks on at the BFF Bhaban yesterday.

Foreign imports will have to shoulder Sheikh Russel's workload if Wajed Gazi's boys want to turn men in this week's mega tournament Super Cup.
The third-placed side in the B. League, despite raising hopes of a better finish, lost their way after the first half of the professional league mainly due to a management gaffe that saw the side change their entire foreign set.
The replacements, even before settling in, lost in a three-way battle as Russel lacked the bite to beat any of the remaining top four.
Still, the team management believes Russel have the strength to win this Tk two-crore competition, taking half the money home.
"With the foreign and local collection we have, we are strong contenders for the title. We have been training for more than two weeks now and we are ready to erase our recent failures," said manager Saleh Zaman Selim at a press briefing yesterday at the BFF House.
Veteran coach Gazi was upbeat about his latest foreign recruits, especially Serbian striker Vukodan Milunovic.
"Alfaz (Ahmed) had to work alone in the league but he will get a very good striking partner in Milunovic. I have seen the new Serbian in practice and very impressed (with him)," said Gazi.
"All the players have been serious from the start of our preparation, may be for the huge prize money, but it is a good sign. We have fallen short in previous times but now we are ready to prove that Russel are real giants of domestic football."
Dismissing 'rumours' that the club president interferes in team selection, Gazi informed that his side have better backups in all departments.
Russel, who will finally sign five of the half-dozen foreigners -- Morocco's Samir Omari, Ahmed Moujahid, Rachidi, Noori and Serbian duo Marco Maric and Milunovic, have also roped in Muktijoddha keeper Mushtaque and Arambagh defender Akram as guest players.
"The spirit at the camp is very high because the players are very sincere to bring result to the club. And I believe we have the ability to win this tournament," hoped captain Mahmudul Hasan.
"We missed the B League title losing valuable points in Chittagong at crucial moments and we will focus on not to repeat the same mistakes. The cup is a great inspiration for all players and I believe it will lay the foundation for the future."
Chittagong Abahani had no high hopes like their group contenders Russel but want to do better than an eighth place finishing in the B. League that earned them the last berth for the Super Cup.
"Our initial target was fourth or fifth place but our performance was not enough to take us that high. This time, we would fight for a place in the semifinals," promised the port city giants' manager Redwan Kabir.
He said that addition of a number of foreigners -- Muktijoddha's Nigerian goalie James Paul and forward Victor, Liberians Joseph Romeo Shermar and Joseph Fullo Samai apart from their old recruits Olombi and Doe, also from Liberia -- have strengthen the squad.
Arambagh's Ashraful Karim and Khulna Abahani's Shariful are the guest players for the Chittagong Sky Blues, who will be led by fullback Jahangir Alam Mintu.
"Our target is the semifinals and we want to make amends to our mistakes from the B League. We have rested just ten days after the B. League's conclusion and hope to give hard times to all the teams," said Mintu.