Abahani Limited of Bangladesh will take on Taiwan Power Company (TPC) of Chinese Taipei in the day´s first match at the Dasharath Stadium while Laxmi Bank Three Star Club of host Nepal will face Erchim FC of Mongolia in the late match. [break]
Three Star had settled for a 1-1 draw against Abahani Limited while Erchim FC had played a 0-0 draw with TPC despite playing with 10 men for the last 20 minutes on the inaugural day on Tuesday.
In such a situation, all teams will be eyeing victory as it would strengthen their chances of finishing in the top two positions and qualifying for the final rounds.
"We are excited regarding the match against Erchim and we feel positive," Three Star coach Pradeep Humagain said during the pre-match conference on Wednesday. The coaches of all the other three teams have rated Three Star as the strongest team in the group.
This is the second time that both Three Star and Erchim have qualified for the tournament. The last time Three Star qualified for the finals was in 2005 and Erchim in the last eidtion.
"Though we failed to utilize some golden chances like the penalty on Tuesday, we will play for win against Erchim," said Humagain, adding that the absence of two key players in the opponent team will give his side an advantage.
Erchim´s captain Enkhjargal Tserenjav faces a one-match suspension as he was sent off on Tuesday for two yellow cards, while forward Ernani Mauro Costa Candido was replaced in the 18th minute after he picked an injury.
Humagain is planning to make improvements in the striking line-up. "We will make improvements in the forward line-up and play attacking football," Humagain said.
Erchim coach D Batanasa, meanwhile, lamented the absence of his two players. "We have a chance to win the match but we will face problem due to the absence of two key players," Batanasa said. "I watched Three Star´s match until the interval on Tuesday. It is a very strong team with well-built and technically sound players. They will be a tough opponent for us."
Abahani coach Ardeshir Pour Nemat Noudehi, whose side will face TPC, has rated the opponent as a strong team with good organization and tactical movement. He also rated Three Star as the strongest team of the group. "The most important thing in the tournament is the strategy during the match," said the Iranian coach of Abahani.
TPC coach Chen Kuei-Jen said the second matches are vital for all four teams as all of them have equal points and chances for qualification. "We hope to win the match," Kuei-Jen said.
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