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Chittagong Abahani Limited

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For the Dhaka based football team, see Abahani Limited Dhaka. For the Dhaka based cricket team, see Abahani Limited cricket team.

Chittagong Abahani
Full nameChittagong Abahani Limited
Nickname(s)The Blue Pirates
(Bengali: ব্লু পাইরেটস)
Short nameCAL
Founded10 October 1980; 44 years ago (1980-10-10)
GroundRafiq Uddin Bhuiyan Stadium
Capacity25,000
PresidentM. Abdul Latif
Head coachMd. Tajuddin Taju
LeagueBangladesh Premier League
2023–24Premier League, 7th of 10
colours
Current season
Departments of Chittagong Abahani
Football
(Men's) 		Football
(Reserves & Youth) 		Cricket
(Men's)

Chittagong Abahani Limited (Bengali: চট্টগ্রাম আবাহনী লিমিটেড), also spelled as Chattogram Abahani or Chittagong Abahoni,[1] is a sports club based in Chittagong, Bangladesh. A wing of Abahani Limited was established at Chittagong in 1980, known as Chittagong Abahani.[2] It is considered as one the most successful football clubs in the country. It currently competes in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), the top tier of Bangladeshi football.

The team was relegated from Bangladesh Premier League in 2010–11 season. It again gained the promotion to Premier League by becoming champion of the 2013 Bangladesh Championship League.[3] The club host Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup, a bi-annual tournament in memory of their founder, Sheikh Kamal.[4] They won the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2015.[5] The club won their first major domestic trophy in 2016 by winning the 2016 Independence Cup under the guidance of Slovak coach Jozef Pavlik.[6] Chittagong Abahani had a fierce rivalry with Chittagong Mohammedan earlier in Chittagong Premier League and later in Bangladesh Premier League.

History

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1980–2000: Beginning

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In late 1970s, Didarul Alam Chowdhury was inspired by the Dhaka-based club Abahani Limited Dhaka. He is a football organizer from Chittagong. Didarul wanted to establish a wing of Abahani in Chittagong for the betterment of Sports in Chittagong. He convened a meeting with other local organizers on 10 October 1980. With the meeting, Chittagong Abahani officially started its journey.

Iqbal Khan, popular footballer of Chittagong and father of Tamim Iqbal & Nafees Iqbal, played a vital role Chittagong Abahani's inception.[7] He also played for Chittagong Abahani. Chittagong Abahani won their first-ever Chittagong League title under his captaincy.[7]

2000–2014: Journey at top level

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Chittagong Abahani qualified for the 2000-01 National Football League after being crowned the 1999 Chittagong League title. The team finished 3rd in the inaugural season under coach Abu Yusuf. In 2001-02 National Football League, Ctg Abahani finished in the Super Four once again. Chittagong Abahani also became runners-up twice in the Chittagong League during 2000s.

In 2007, Bangladesh Football Federation started B. League (now Bangladesh Premier League), country's first professional football league. Chittagong Abahani was one of the founding teams of the league. After struggling in the first three seasons, Ctg Abahani relegated to Bangladesh Championship League in 2010–11 season.

The port city outfit finished at the bottom in their first BCL season. However, there was no relegation system for second tier in that time which saved the team from demotion. The Blue Pirates made a strong comeback in next season becoming Champion of 2013-14 BCL & came back to top tier. Chittagong Abahani finished at 9th in 2014-15 BPL, their returning season to top tier.

2015–present: Beginning of the revolutionary era

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In November 2014, Tarafder Ruhul Amin of Saif Powertec Limited became chairman of Chittagong Abahani Directorial Board.[8][9] Saif Powertec Limited becomes new sponsor of Chittagong Abahani.

In 2015, Chittagong Abahani organised inaugural edition of Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup at M. A. Aziz Stadium, Chittagong before the 2015-16 domestic season.[10] It was the first international club tournament at Chittagong since 1982. Chittagong Abahani won the tournament beating Kolkata giant East Bengal in final.[11] The huge attendance of the final broke all the recent records. The port city outfit gave their arrival message as a rising giant with this tournament.

In May 2016, Chittagong Abahani won 2016 Independence Cup under their first ever foreign coach Jozef Pavlik.[12] It was the first domestic major trophy of the club history. Chittagong Abahani finished at 2nd in 2016 BPL, their best result ever.[13] They signed Bangladesh national team Captain Mamunul Islam, Bhutan international Chencho Gyeltshen, former Haiti international Fabrice Noel & Leonel Saint Preux for this season.

Chittagong Abahani also become runners-up of 2017 Independence Cup, 2017 Federation Cup & finished 3rd in 2017-18 BPL.[14] However, the Blue Pirates performed down in 2018–19 season as they knocked out from both tournaments in quarterfinal & obtained 8th position in the league.

Maruful Haque era

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Current squad

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As of 26 March 2024

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK Bangladesh BAN Ashraful Islam Rana
2 DF Bangladesh BAN Raihan Hasan
3 DF Bangladesh BAN Rashedul Alam Moni
4 DF Bangladesh BAN Yeasin Khan (Captain)
5 DF Bangladesh BAN Nasiruddin Chowdhury (vice-captain)
6 MF Bangladesh BAN Imran Hassan Remon
7 MF Bangladesh BAN Kawsar Ali Rabbi
8 MF Bangladesh BAN Hemonta Vinsent Biswas
9 FW Bangladesh BAN Mannaf Rabby
11 FW Bangladesh BAN Jamir Uddin
12 DF Bangladesh BAN Sajon Miah
13 MF Bangladesh BAN Amiruzzaman Saymon
14 MF Bangladesh BAN Sabbir Hossain
15 DF Bangladesh BAN Amit Hasan
16 MF Bangladesh BAN Sohel Rana
17 MF Bangladesh BAN Faysal Ahmed
18 MF Bangladesh BAN Ranju Sikder
19 FW Nigeria NGA Ojukwu David Ifegwu (vice-captain)
No. Pos. Nation Player
20 FW Bangladesh BAN Jahedul Alam
21 MF Bangladesh BAN Sohanur Rahman Sohan
22 GK Bangladesh BAN Showkat Hossen Hasan
24 DF Bangladesh BAN Riaj Uddin Sagor
25 FW Uzbekistan UZB Khudoyorkhon Sagdullaev
27 MF Bangladesh BAN Shakil Ali
28 DF Bangladesh BAN Rifat Hasan Sarthok
29 MF Bangladesh BAN Asadul Islam Sakib
30 GK Bangladesh BAN Monirul Islam Tuhin
31 DF Bangladesh BAN Zahid Hasan
32 FW Nigeria NGA Paul Komolafe
34 MF Nigeria NGA Wasiu Semiu
35 GK Bangladesh BAN Nasrul Islam Hero
37 FW Bangladesh BAN Iftasam Rahman Jidan
40 GK Bangladesh BAN Ariful Islam
44 DF Bangladesh BAN Rostam Islam Dukhu Mia
66 MF Bangladesh BAN Md Al Imran
99 FW Bangladesh BAN Emtiyaz Raihan

Personnel

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Current technical staff

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As of 5 April 2024

Position Name
Head Coach Bangladesh Md. Tajuddin Taju
Assistant Coach Bangladesh Arafat Ali Rony
Goalkeeping Coach Bangladesh Md. Shahabuddin
Physiotherapist Bangladesh Fuad Hasan Hawlader
Interpreter Bangladesh Md. Poniruzzaman Ponir
Team Manager Bangladesh Arman Aziz
Technical Director Bangladesh Maruful Haque[15][16]

Management

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Board of directors

[edit]

As of January 2023.

Position Name
President Bangladesh M. Abdul Latif
Vice-president Bangladesh Tarafder MD Ruhul Amin
General Secretary Bangladesh Shamsul Haque Chowdhury
Director Bangladesh Mahbubul Alam
Secretary (Football Committee) Bangladesh Shakil Mahmud Chowdhury

Team records

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Head coach record

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As of 25 March 2024
Zulfiker Mahmud Mintu was assistant coach & head coach of the club for more than 3 years.
Manager From To M W D L GF GA Win%[17] Honours Notes
Bangladesh Asaduzzaman Jhontu (n/a) 2015 (n/a) (n/a) (n/a) (n/a) (n/a) (n/a) (n/a)
Bangladesh Shafiqul Islam Manik[18][19] 10 August 2015 21 September 2016 5 4 0 1 12 6 80.00 1 Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup (2015)
Slovakia Jozef Pavlík[20] 30 March 2016 21 September 2016 16 8 5 3 26 17 50.00 1 Independence Cup (2016) Won the first-ever domestic major trophy in the club's history[21]
Bangladesh Zulfiker Mahmud Mintu (interim)[22][23] 21 September 2016 31 December 2016 15 11 2 2 23 8 73.33 1 runner-up Premier League (2016)
Bangladesh Saiful Bari Titu[24] 9 January 2017 4 January 2018 29 18 6 5 40 23 62.07 1 runner- up Federation Cup (2017)
Bangladesh Zulfiker Mahmud Mintu 4 January 2018 3 August 2019 38 10 14 14 38 41 26.32 1 runner-up Independence Cup (2017) Appointed as caretaker coach at first, then reached agreement to continue as head coach.
Bangladesh Maruful Haque[25] October 2019 28 August 2022 70 33 15 22 115 100 47.14 1 runner-up Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup (2019)
Bangladesh Saiful Bari Titu[26][27] 9 November 2022 12 February 2023 15 3 5 7 14 23 20
Bangladesh Mahabubul Haque Juwel[28][29] 12 February 2023 25 March 2024 28 7 11 10 35 43 25 Appointed as caretaker coach at first, then reached agreement to continue as head coach.[30]
Bangladesh Md. Tajuddin Taju 25 March 2024 Present

Top scorers by season

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Peter Ebimobowei is the only player in the club's history to score 20 or more Premier League goals in a single season
Season Player Total Goals BPL Federation Cup Independence Cup
2017-18 Bangladesh Tawhidul Alam Sabuz 10 8 0 2
2018–19 The Gambia Momodou Bah 11 6 2 3
2019-20 Brazil Nixon Guylherme 5 4 1 Not held
2020-21 Brazil Nixon Guylherme 13 12 1 Not held
2021-22 Nigeria Peter Ebimobowei 22 20 1 1
2022–23 Nigeria Ojukwu David Ifegwu 13 10 1 2

All-time top scorers

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The table is a record of goals scored since 2017–18 season and accurate as of the end of the 2022–23 season. Goals scored in major competitions (Premier League, Federation Cup & Independence Cup) are counted in the list below.

Ranking Name Years Goals
1 Nigeria Peter Ebimobowei 2021–22 22
2 Brazil Nixon Guylherme 2019–21 18
3 Nigeria Ojukwu David Ifegwu 2022–23 13
4 Nigeria Matthew Chinedu 2019–21 12
5 The Gambia Momodou Bah 2018-19 11
6 Bangladesh Tawhidul Alam Sabuj 2017-18 10
7 Bangladesh Rakib Hossain 2019–21 9
8 Ivory Coast Kpehi Didier Brossou 2019–21 8
9 Bangladesh Shakhawat Rony 2017–18, 2019–22 7
10 Nigeria Nduka Alison 2017-18 6

Source: Soccerway

All-time top scorers in Premier League

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The table is a record of goals scored since 2017–18 season and accurate as of the end of the 2022–23 season.

Ranking Name Years Goals
1 Nigeria Peter Ebimobowei 2022 20
2 Brazil Nixon Guylherme 2020–21 16
3 Nigeria Matthew Chinedu 2020–21 11
4 Nigeria Ojukwu David Ifegwu 2022–23 10
5 Bangladesh Tawhidul Alam Sabuj 2017-18 8
6 Bangladesh Rakib Hossain 2020–21 7
Ivory Coast Didier Brossou 2020–21 7
8 The Gambia Momodou Bah 2018-19 6
9 Bangladesh Shakhawat Rony 2017–18, 2020–22 5
Bangladesh Ekbal Hossain 2022–23 5
Afghanistan Omid Popalzay 2022 5

Source: Soccerway

Most appearances in Premier League

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The table is a record of appearances made since 2017–18 season and accurate as of the end of the 2022–23 season.

Ranking Name Years App.
1 Bangladesh Monir Alam 2018-22 74
2 Bangladesh Koushik Barua 2017–22 68
3 Bangladesh Monaem Khan Raju 2018–21 45
4 Nigeria Mufta Lawal 2017-19 39
5 Uzbekistan Shukurali Pulatov 2020, 2021, 2022–23 38
5 Bangladesh Shakhawat Rony 2017–18, 2020–22 34
6 Bangladesh Shawkat Russel 2020–22 33
7 Nigeria Matthew Chinedu 2019-21 30
8 Brazil Nixon Guylherme 2019-21 29
Bangladesh Mannaf Rabby 2017-18, 2019–21 29
Bangladesh Arafat Hossen 2020–23 29

Source: Soccerway

Recent seasons

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Season League Level Position Movements
1998–99 Chittagong

League

Regional

Top Tier

1st qualified for

2000 NFL

2000–01 NFL 1st Tier 3rd of 8
2001–02 NFL 1st Tier Super Four

(3rd of 48)

2003–04 Chittagong

League

Regional

Top Tier

2nd of 10
2005–06 Chittagong

League

Regional

Top Tier

2nd
2007–08 BPL 1st Tier 10th of 11
2008–09 BPL 1st Tier 8th of 11
2009–10 BPL 1st Tier 11th of 13
2010–11 BPL 1st Tier 12th of 12 Relegated
2011–12 BCL 2nd Tier 7th of 7
2012–13 BCL 2nd Tier 1st of 8 Promoted
2013–14 BPL 1st Tier 8th of 10
2014–15 BPL 1st Tier 9th of 11
2015–16 BPL 1st Tier 2nd of 12
2017–18 BPL 1st Tier 3rd of 12
2018–19 BPL 1st Tier 8th of 13
2019–20 BPL 1st Tier 2nd of 13 (league abandoned)
2020–21 BPL 1st Tier 5th of 13
2021-22 BPL 1st Tier 7th of 12
2022–23 BPL 1st Tier 8th of 11

Source: RSSF

Stadium

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The M. A. Aziz Stadium is the primary home venue of Chittagong Abahani. However, the club also plays their home matches at Bir Sreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium of Munshiganj. The club also used Bangabandhu National Stadium and Shaheed Dhirendranath Datta Stadium as home venues in some seasons.[31][32]

Kit manufacturers and shirt sponsors

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Period Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor
2015–2017 N/A Saif Powertec Limited
2018–2019 N/A Saif Power Battery
2019–2020 Noor Enterprise Saif Power Battery
2020–2024 Noor Enterprise Ignite Battery
2024–2025 Designex Not yet confirmed

AFC ranking

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As of 11 June 2023[33]
Ranking Team Points
365 Bhutan Transport United FC 49.0
366 Taiwan Taiwan Power Company FC 49.0
367 Bangladesh Chittagong Abahani Limited 49.0
368 Mongolia FC Ulaanbaatar 49.0
369 Malaysia Sabah FC 49.0

World ranking

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As of 11 June 2023[34]
Ranking Team Points
2013 Taiwan Taiwan Power Company FC 49.30
2014 Guadeloupe Phare Petit-Canal FC 49.30
2015 Bangladesh Chittagong Abahani Limited 49.28
2016 Kenya Vihiga United FC 49.24
2017 Mongolia FC Ulaanbaatar 49.15

Honours

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League

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Cup

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Invitational

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Notable overseas players

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  • Players listed below have had senior international cap(s) for their respective countries before, while and/or after playing at Chittagong Abahani. The years indicate the time they played for the club.[35]

Notes

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  1. ^ Abu Azeez represents Nigeria national beach soccer team in FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup and other international beach soccer competitions.

References

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  1. ^ "Brothers bring back Naeemuddin as coach". Dhaka Tribune. 16 November 2013. Archived from the original on 28 February 2023. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  2. ^ "Bangladesh – Abahani Limited Chittagong". Soccerway. Archived from the original on 15 December 2017. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
  3. ^ "Ctg Abahani wins BCL title". Dhaka Tribune. Archived from the original on 5 June 2016. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  4. ^ "Sheikh Kamal Int'l Club Cup football tournament kicks off Oct 20". Dhaka Tribune. Archived from the original on 20 August 2023. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  5. ^ "Hasina says Chittagong Abahani created history in Bangladesh football". bdnews24.com. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  6. ^ "Chittagong Abahani win Independence Cup". Daily Sun. 8 May 2016. Archived from the original on 18 March 2017.
  7. ^ a b বাবার দেখানো পথে. Bangladesh Pratidin (in Bengali). 16 April 2020. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  8. ^ Majida, Ismat (2 December 2018). ব্যবসা ও ক্রীড়াঙ্গনে সফল মানুষ তরফদার রুহুল আমিন. পাঠক নিউজ (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 16 October 2021. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  9. ^ সফল ব্যবসায়ী থেকে দুর্দান্ত ফুটবল সংগঠক. Sahos (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 23 December 2019. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  10. ^ ইস্ট বেঙ্গলকে হারিয়ে চট্টগ্রাম আবাহনী চ্যাম্পিয়ন. NTV (in Bengali). 30 October 2015. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  11. ^ ইস্ট বেঙ্গলকে হারিয়ে শিরোপা জিতল চট্টগ্রাম আবাহনী. Bhorer Kagoj (in Bengali). Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  12. ^ টিকে থাকবে তো চট্টগ্রাম আবাহনী?. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 8 May 2016. Archived from the original on 11 December 2018. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  13. ^ প্রিমিয়ার লিগের চ্যাম্পিয়ন ও রানার্সআপ দুই আবাহনী ট্রফি পাচ্ছে আজ. The Daily Sangram (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  14. ^ চট্টগ্রাম আবাহনীর হারে রানার্সআপ শেখ জামাল. Jugantor (in Bengali). 8 January 2018. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  15. ^ "We are delighted to welcome back Maruful Haque to the #CAL". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  16. ^ offsidebangladesh (25 October 2023). "নতুন ভূমিকায় চট্টগ্রাম আবাহনীতে ফিরছেন মারুফুল!". অফসাইড. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  17. ^ Win% is rounded to two decimal places
  18. ^ "Ctg Abahani rope in Manik". The Daily Star. 10 August 2015. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  19. ^ "Ctg Abhani want Manik to be punished". The Daily Star. 16 March 2016. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  20. ^ "Chittagong Abahani introduce new foreign coach". The Daily Observer. Archived from the original on 14 December 2019. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  21. ^ "Ctg Abahani clinches Independence Cup". Prothom Alo. 7 May 2016. Archived from the original on 24 July 2023. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  22. ^ Iqbal, Nair. চট্টগ্রাম আবাহনীর জয়ের স্বস্তি. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  23. ^ টিটুর সঙ্গে চুক্তি করলো চট্টগ্রাম আবাহনী. Jago News 24 (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 18 November 2022. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  24. ^ চট্টগ্রাম আবাহনীতে টিটু. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 9 January 2017. Archived from the original on 14 December 2019. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  25. ^ Hoque, Shishir (30 October 2019). "Maruful, the tactical mastermind". Dhaka Tribune. Archived from the original on 1 January 2020. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  26. ^ "Titu to coach Ctg Abahani coming season - Sports - observerbd.com". The Daily Observer. Archived from the original on 16 October 2022. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  27. ^ "Announcement". Twitter. Archived from the original on 14 February 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  28. ^ চট্টগ্রাম আবাহনীতে নেই টিটু!. www.kalerkantho.com. February 2023. Archived from the original on 12 February 2023. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  29. ^ "Official Announcement". Twitter. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  30. ^ "Announcement". Twitter. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  31. ^ চট্টগ্রাম আবাহনীর হোম ভেন্যু ঢাকায়!. Manab Zamin (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 27 January 2022. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  32. ^ পেশাদার লিগ আয়োজনে বঞ্চিত এম এ আজিজ স্টেডিয়াম. The Daily Ittefaq (in Bengali). 27 December 2021. Archived from the original on 27 January 2022. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  33. ^ "AFC club rankings". footballalphabet.com. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  34. ^ "World club rankings". footballalphabet.com. Archived from the original on 20 August 2023. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
  35. ^ "Chittagong Abahani Limited – Players from A–Z". WorldFootball.net. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
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