Kathmandu, February 13

Laxmi Hyundai Manang Marshyangdi Club are eyeing to continue with the winning momentum when they take part in the Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup to be held in Bangladesh from February 18.

MMC are fresh from winning three domestic titles — Far-west Khaptad Gold Cup, Aaha-Rara Gold Cup and Jhapa Gold Cup — and are leaving for Bangladesh on Tuesday with the aim of returning home with yet another crown.

“The recent successes in domestic circuit prove that we are one of the strongest clubs at present. And as we have the majority of the national players in our team, we are hopeful of getting success in Bangladesh,” said coach Chhiring Lopsang Gurung. “We also acquired the services of Rohit Chand and that is an added advantage for us,” he added.

Gurung is expecting a tough competition as the tournament will be played among stronger clubs from different countries. “It’s been long since we played international tournament with stronger teams and I think the competition will be of the standard of AFC President’s Cup as I have heard that a team from South Korea is also taking part,” he added.

MMC have been drawn in Group B along with Shaheen Asmayee FC (Afghanistan) and Bangladeshi duo of Mohammedan Sporting Club and Chittagong Abahani, while Group A comprises of TC Sports Club (Maldives), Pocheon Citizen Football Club (South Korea), FC Alga Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan), and Chittagong Abahani Limited.

Although the coach Gurung was hopeful of winning the tournament, the team has some injury concerns in Biraj Maharjan, Bikram Lama and Sissoco. “I am hopeful that the injured players will be ready for the tournament as they have a couple of weeks time to recover,” he added. The team had just four days time for training for the competition but they have taken Jhapa Gold Cup as the preparation for the event. “We worked on the weaknesses seen during the Jhapa Gold Cup,” Gurung added.

Skipper Anil Gurung has taken the tournament as a platform for the players to showcase their talent at international level and also get noticed by the foreign clubs. “The tournament is an important one as our players will have the opportunity to impress officials of other participating clubs. If get noticed, the players can get offers. Similarly, new players of the team will get international exposure,” said skipper Anil Gurung, who was also hopeful of winning the tournament. “We are ready for the tournament and we want to maintain the winning momentum in Bangladesh,” added Gurung.