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Away games the key

Bangladesh League kicks off today

Sports Reporter
Playing better outside the capital will be the key to deciding the title of the Bangladesh League, which gets underway today with holders Abahani facing new-
comers Beanibazar SC at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.
Considering the performance in the just-concluded Federation Cup and the strength on paper. Federation Cup champions Mohammedan, reigning league champions Abahani. Sheikh Russel KC and a new-look Muktijoddha Sangsad will go into the championship as favourites though the latter two team's performances were not up to mark in the just concluded Federation Cup.
The league this year will feature 13 teams and will be played at five different venues. The inclusion of Beanibazar from Sylhet, Shuktara Jubo Sangsad from Narayanganj and Feni Soccer Club means that teams will have to travel to those places unlike two venues in Dhaka and Chittagong in the last two editions of the prestigious league
It was evident in the previous two editions that teams from the capital struggled when playing against home sides in Chittagong and Khulna. Even giants like Abahani, Mohammedan. Brothers Union, Sheikh Russel, Muktijoddha dropped points against Chittagong Mohammedan and Chittagong Abahani.
Nevertheless the performance, techniques, tactics, skills, fitness as well as a strong reserve bench will play a vital role in getting success in the marathon league.
Moreover, unlike last year, big teams will have to play more away matches this time in unfamiliar environment against teams like Beanibazar SC. Feni Soccer Club and Shuktara who have showed lot of character in the Federation Cup.
Beanibazar and Feni Soccer Club have already showed that they would be very tough break on home turf after making it to the Federation Cup semifinals while Shuktara gave Mohammedan a run for their money before being eliminated from the quarterfinals in tiebreaker.
'It is true that big teams struggled playing outside the capital last season and it might be a psychological factor," admitted Mohammedan coach Maruful Haq.
“We need to improve the players' mental toughness as well as their fitness and performance compared to what they showed in the Federation Cup.
"These teams may be a cause for concern for the big sides if they keep up the good work in the Federation Cup," said the Mohammedan coach who is yet to conquer the professional league.
Abahani manager Satyajit Das Rupu also felt that the teams from outside Dhaka would be very tough at their own den.
"It is tme that the teams from outside Dhaka will try their best to take the home advantage but our target would be not to lose a point and I think we are capable of winning away games provided that the grounds are good,” said the former national midfielder.
Rupu said that they would not take any prisoners on the way to their halt rick title.
Having got success in the Federation Cup. Beanibazar SC coach Jasimuddin Ahmed Joshi set his sights on the Bangladesh League.
“We are keen on taking home advantage fully in all the 12 matches to be played in Syihet and will try to collect some points in away matches as well," said Joshi.
“We will try not to lose any points in home matches even against Mohammedan and Abahani and I think the big teams will face a tough challenge playing in Narayanganj," said Shuktara Jubo Sangsad coach Ri az Biswas.
But, in the end, it may all come down to a battle between the two ola foes - Abahani and Mohammedan, who have strong reserve bench to com-. pete in the marathon league.