AFC Cup 2018: Pride at stake for Aizawl FC as Abahani Dhaka look to stay alive

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AFC Cup 2018: Pride at stake for Aizawl FC as Abahani Dhaka look to stay alive image

Bangladeshi club Abahani Limited Dhaka host Aizawl FC in an AFC Cup 2018 Group E clash on Wednesday at the Bangabandhu National Stadium, Dhaka.

The 2016-17 I-League champions have had a wretched debut continental campaign so far. They have lost all their three games and are out of the reckoning for a spot in the next round.

Just two weeks ago, Abahani defeated them 3-0 in their adopted home ground in Guwahati and Aizawl will have vengeance on their minds. 

The Reds, under Santosh Kashyap who was brought in as manager in the latter part of the domestic season, finished sixth in the league and were knocked out in the quarter-final of the Super Cup.

Regaining lost pride will be the first order of business for the north-eastern side. "I believe it is a great opportunity for my young team, who are getting international exposure. We are now much fresh and got a good time to recover and rectify our mistakes," Kashyap said on the eve of the game.

He added, "I believe we are much better prepared compared to the last match and definitely, it will be an entertaining game though we have great respective to Abahani, who have a very good team and play fantastic football and I hope tomorrow will be an entertaining and good match."

Aizawl FC Abahani Dhaka AFC Cup 2018

Kashyap also said that his team never even had aims of making it into the next stage. "We have honestly not thought to qualify for the next round from this group because I think Bengaluru FC is one of the favourites and a better set-up than Abahani and New Radiant, so it is really tough."

Abahani, who had their full-strength team play last time looks set to continue with Emeka Darlington leading the line. Nigerian Sunday Chizoba has come under scrutiny for not scoring and picking up needless bookings.

The Sky Blues still have a chance to make it to the next round but will need to win all their three games and hope New Radiant beat Bengaluru FC and Aizawl too win their last two games.

Kick-off is at 4 PM IST. 

Abahani Dhaka possible XI (4-2-3-1): Md. Shahidul Alam Sohel (GK); Rayhan Hasan, Nasirudin Chowdhury, Ndukaku Alison, Waly Faisal; Emon Mahmud Babu, Atiqur Rahman Fahad; Rubel Miya, Seiya Kojima, Sunday Chizoba; Emeka Darlington.

Aizawl FC possible XI (3-4-3): Lalawmpuia (GK); C Lalrosanga, Hmingthan 'Valpuia' Mawia, Lalchhuanawma Varte; Laldinliana Renthlei, Masih Saighani, Alfred Jaryan, Lalram 'Tea' Hmunmawia; Albert Zohmingmawia, Andrei Ionescu, Leonce Dodoz.

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