JL-W After a four-day break due to Saif SC's .^■“WAITON participation in the AFC Cup, the ^ndepe\dewe Walton Independence Cup resumes today through lhe *ird quarterfinal as favourites Abahani meet Arambagh at the Bangabandhu National Stadium at 4:00pm BST.

Having clinched the titles of the Federation Cup and the Bangladesh Premier League, Abahani came into the seasonclosing Independence Cup with the aim of completing a rare treble, a feat achieved only once by Sheikh Russel since the introduction of the professional football league.

Abahani were the only team to qualify for the quarterfinals with two wins and are now up against a spirited Arambagh, who advanced on the basis of a superior goal difference

Abahani have already beaten Arambagh twice this year in the professional football league and while they will hope to take another step towards the title, they will do so cautiously.

"The knockout match is like a final and we are taking tomorrow's match as the final," said Abahani captain Mamun Mia. “As both sides will feature local players, the match will definitely be difficult, but we have to prove that we are better than them despite have already won two titles this season."

Arambagh assistant coach Abdul Kaiyum Sentu was optimistic of pulling off an upset. "As it is a clash among local players, we are hopeful of doing something good. We will not let them go without a fight, especially (not after) the way we played against Chittagong Abahani in our last match," said Sentu, adding that they may miss the services of two key players - Rabiul and Arafat - due to injuries.