Abahani captain Nazrul Islam (R) addressing a press briefing at the BFF Bhaban yesterday, mentioning their target in the Citycell Super Cup as Farashganj captain Kabir Hossain (L), Abahani officials and tournament committee officials look on.Photo: STAR

While Abahani eye the Tk one-crore top prize in the Citycell Super Cup after their B. League success in consecutive years, Farashganj will be out to dent the pride of the giants in the richest ever domestic football competition in the sub-continent.
"Abahani never go into a tournament for being second best. We want the trophy and have also prepared to fulfil our target," announced Abahani manager Satyajit Das Rupu at an official teams briefing at the BFF Bhaban yesterday.
"Our players needed to relax after winning the B. League but we gave them only three days' break before starting training for the Super Cup. We are the best team in the country for the past two years and we want to maintain that status. There would be a lot of money if we win but the honour of winning is the most important thing," said the former national footballer adding that the Sky-blues' initial target is to win the three group matches and make the semifinals.
"We will then concentrate on the knockout rounds and I believe if our players prove their worth, we will be able to win this trophy."
Abahani have a rich record, of winning inaugural versions of many tournaments including the National Football League and the B. League and coach Amalesh Sen felt that the players are raring to go.
"Our preparation is in the final stages and we will treat all opponents similarly. This is a big event and all teams will be hard to beat," said Amalesh, who will have four foreign players boosting his squad.
"(Awudu) Ibrahim has returned and he has brought an attacking midfielder with him. It will strengthen our squad but one thing I can say is that we will field our best eleven in matches. We have competent local players and there is no guarantee that all four foreigners will play."
Amalesh, who opined that money is not above honour, however, mentioned that the big prize money would be a motivation for players.
"Football in a whole will be benefited through this tournament. People are already talking about this."
Abahani captain Nazrul Islam told he wants to continue with the team's B. League triumph.
"Apart from the Tk one-crore championship prize, different individual awards announced will be an added inspiration for the footballers. We are really happy about a tournament of such a big manner," the national defender said.
Unlike Abahani, old-Dhaka riversiders Farashganj have cut their foreign imports from three to one.
"We were not satisfied with our foreign collection in the B. league and decided to keep only defender Emeka Lucky out of the three. There is a chance we would add one more foreigner but we are going to rely on our local force," said Farashganj coach Kamal Babu.
"We were the last of the eight teams to start preparation and I don't think it is adequate. But we needed rest after playing the B. league for 6-7 months. Now we are trying to correct our mistakes," said Babu.
Farashganj reached the semifinals of the season's curtain raiser Federation Cup but finished sixth in the B. League.
"Our Federation Cup success was built on local players and we are counting on that again. We are always treated as a medium-ranged team but our target is to upset one of the two giants in the group stage and make the last four," said Babu.
"The first match, I'd rather say winning one point in the first match for us is very crucial."
Farashganj are likely to recruit a few local rookies and captain Kabir Hossain thinks they would be a strong team.
"We will not give up easily. We are determined for results and want to at least repeat the Federation Cup achievement," the midfielder added.