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Draw denies a dream final

Federation Cup draw held

Sports Reporter
Abahani and Mohammedan have been drawn in the same group of the Federation Cup after eight years and
football fans can expect two possible showdowns between the two arch-rivals, but unfortunately not a dream final.
The two bitter rivals in domestic football have been placed in Group D along with Rahmatganj during a draw ceremony held at the BFF House yesterday.
The 26th edition of season's curtain-raiser will get underway from November 21 at the Bangabandhu National Stadium with Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club taking on Uttar Baridhara and Abahani facing Rahmatganj in the opening day fixtures.
The last time the two powerhouses, who shared the trophy 18 times, were placed in the same group was in 2005. Abahani won that first round battle against Mohammedan 5-1 but both teams have failed to make it to the final which was a Brothers Union-Muktijoddha Sangsad affair.
Mohammedan, who holds the record of winning the Federation Cup ten times, and eight-time winners Abahani are most likely to stave off a Rahmatganj threat to progress into the eight-team knock-out stage, with two teams from four groups making it to the quarterfinals.
Both Abahani and Mohammedan, who have failed to make it to the final in the last two editions of the tournament, however will face an uphill task to turn the tide around. A second place finish for either of
the two teams in the group stage means an inevitable face-off against Sheikh Jamal.
The runners-up of last year, comprising nine current national players and few quality foreign players, are leading Group A that also contains two mediocre sides Feni Soccer and Uttar Baridhara.
And even if Jamal is conquered a dream Abahani-Mohammedan final is not designed in the fixture since victory for both teams in the quarterfinals would land them in a semifinal showdown.
Defending champions Sheikh Russel, who won three out of four of the domestic trophies last season, have formed Group B along Muktijoddha Sangsad and Ctg Abahani.
Group C consisted of three-time champions Brothers Union, Team BJMC and the winners between BKSP-Police play-off.
"We are happy that football is finally rolling despite the political unrest. And it was possible with the helps from all quarters," said BFF senior vice president Abdus Salam Murshedy during the draw ceremony.
Sponsors Walton group's director in sports Iqbal Bin Anward, Walton brand ambassador Zobera Rahman Linu, national coach Lodewijk de Kruif, professional football league committee's co-chairman Abdur Rahim and representatives from the clubs were among others present at the draw ceremony.
GROUPINGS
Group A Group B GroupC Group D
Sheikh Jamal Sheikh Russel Team BJMC Abahani
SC Feni Muktijoddha BrothersUnion Mohammedan
Uttar Baridhara Ctg. Abahani Winner of Playoff Rahmatganj