Nisa FC of Turkmenistan have more than one problem when they line up for their crucial AFC Cup match against Muktijoddha Sangsad Krira Chakra today.

The league champions of the Central Asian nation arrived in the capital on Monday with only 11 players, which means the visitors will have no players on the reserve bench against the Dhaka giants on a very hot day.

The match will kick off at 5 pm at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.

"Because some of our players couldn't get visas to go to India, that's why we could only fly with only 11 footballers," informed Nisa manager Grigoryans Konstantin whose 14-member squad was stuck two days in New Delhi.

"It is very hot here and playing an important match with no reserve players carries great risk," the young manager told The Daily Star Sport at Hotel Purbani yesterday.

Nisa are under pressure to beat Muktijoddha and Yemen's Al Shabb Ibb in their last Group A match to qualify for the second phase of the competition.

"We are trailing Lebanon's Nijmeh by six points but two wins will see us through to the next phase as one of the best three second-placed teams. So, we must win," said Konstantin.

"After the first training session this morning, the players were very tired and they asked for water after running just two laps. But whatever the condition is, this is football and we have to play. We are ready to fight.

"I know that Muktijoddha will enjoy home advantage but we know how they play. We are confident to repeat our home performance."

Nisa defeated the Reds by a solitary goal in their home match and midfielder Artyom Nazarov, who struck the winner from a penalty in Ashgabat, is one of the seven national players in the side.

pions have lost all their three matches apart from failing to turn up for the away match against Shabb Ibb.

Without a single point to its name, Manik's side are effectively playing for pride.

"We played well against Nisa in the opening group match but lost due to a penalty. We can just hope that we use our home advantage tomorrow," said Manik.

The side is coached by Turkmenistan's current national team coach Kurbanmamedov Rahim.

While it is a matter of great significance for Rahim's 11 men, Muktijoddha coach Shafiqul Islam Manik wasn't particularly excited.

The Bangladesh National League and Federation Cup cham-

Manik's boys threw away the lead twice to lose their last home match against Shabb Ibb 3-2 and the coach also has injury problems.

Muktijoddha will include two guest players, Abahani fullback Mahmudul Hassan and Brothers Union's national centre-back Sujan to strengthen their squad.