13 November 2025
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Maruful eyes fearless Abahani performance against Muras

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Banglapress Published: 23 September 2025, 10:25 AM
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Maruful eyes fearless Abahani performance against Muras
  Bangla Press Desk: Bashundhara Bangladesh Premier League side Dhaka Abahani are set to face Kyrgyz club Muras United in the AFC Challenge League Playoffs at the National Stadium in Dhaka Today. The kick-off is scheduled for 5:00 PM BST. Abahani, last season’s BPL runners-up, secured their place in the qualifying playoffs of Asia’s third-tier continental club competition by virtue of their league position. Their opponents, Muras United, currently sit second in the Kyrgyz Premier League. “Muras is a strong team. The way they have played and come here is excellent. They will be a very tough opponent for us. I have watched Muras’s last five to seven matches. From what I have seen, I feel that if the players play according to the plan, we can win,” Abahani head coach Maruful Haque told reporters at Monday’s press conference. Founded in 2023, Muras have quickly earned a reputation for their European style of play and world-class facilities.
“Although Muras United is a newly formed team, they have brought a European style to their country’s football, with facilities comparable to those of major European clubs. Facing them, it makes no difference whether they are a new or old side—what matters is that they are representing their nation. We are aware of their strengths and weaknesses. Their game carries a clear European flavour, with dangerous elements such as their switch of play and wing play, which we must work to stop,” Maruful added. Abahani enter the match with renewed confidence after strengthening their squad during the off-season. Notable signings include Souleymane Diabate from arch-rivals Mohammedan, forward Sheikh Morsalin from Bashundhara Kings, and Mohammad Al-Amin, Quazem Shah, and Isa Faysal from Bangladesh Police FC. Maruful expressed high hopes for Diabate’s impact and hinted at placing both Diabate and Al-Amin in the starting XI. “I have seen him for six years in my opponent team. I know his abilities. In the session on Sunday, I shared our idea and plan with him. He succeeded to receive the plan, and in the training session, he managed to execute fifty percent. If he can execute it on Tuesday, I will be happy,” Maruful said. “I always try to place the best players of the team in the field, even by changing my tactics if needed. As there were no games in this season yet, I am considering the last season’s performances and training. So, I have the thoughts to place both Al-Amin and Diabate in the field.”
Maruful also said that if the players can hold their nerve, they can succeed. He also talked about the pressure of home advantage on the players. “Home ground or home advantage always turns into a disadvantage for us, because it puts extra pressure on the players. That’s why we will keep in mind that we are only playing against Muras, and we will execute our plan without fear,” he said. Ten teams from the West Zone are competing in the playoff round of the AFC Challenge League. The five winners from the knockout matches will progress to the tournament’s main stage, which kicks off on 25 October. If Dhaka Abahani can overcome Muras United, they will book their ticket to that stage. This article was originally published on Daily Sun.
[Bangla Press is a global platform for free thought. It provides impartial news, analysis, and commentary for independent-minded individuals. Our goal is to bring about positive change, which is more important today than ever before.]B P/SP
[Bangla Press is a global platform for free thought. It provides impartial news, analysis, and commentary for independent-minded individuals. Our goal is to bring about positive change, which is more important today than ever before.]

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