Holders Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club vowed to retain the title despite failing to form a strong squad for the forthcoming Bangladesh Premier League, which gets underway on July 24.
Despite winning the title, Jamal suffered a big blow when most of their national team players left the club after getting lucrative offers from their rivals during this summer’s player’s transfer window.
As a result, the club failed to perform up to their reputation in this season’s first two tournaments — Independence Cup and Federation Cup.
They were knocked out from the Independence Cup at the quarter-final stage followed by the exit in the semi-finals of the Federation Cup.
Jamal coach Shafiqul Islam Manik admitted that the main reason behind their failure was the lack of quality players. But he was optimistic that a young Jamal team will be able to fight for the title.
‘Due to lack of quality players we failed to produce good results in the last two tournaments,’ said Manik during a meet-the-press of the four Premier League clubs at the Bangladesh Football Federation House on Thursday.
‘We formed 23-member squad based mostly on young players in the last moment of the transfer window after a group of renowned footballers left the club.
‘However, I believe as defending champions, Jamal will fight for the championship.’
Jamal were still hopeful over getting the services of their key forward Haitian Wedson Anselme, who refused to extend his deal with the club.
‘Wedson went to his country for a 15-day vacation and I hope he will return in time,’ said Manik adding that, ‘I hope we will start the league with three foreign players — Wedson, Emeka Darlington and Landing Darboe.’
Captain Yeasin Khan believes that his team has the ability to retain the title.
‘We know the reality and we know how difficult it is to win the title but I believe we will play for the championship,’ said the defender who also promised to give his best.
‘Though the club kept their faith on me as team captain I will give my level best to repay it.’
Arambagh Krira Sangha, who surprised everyone by becoming runners-up in the Federation Cup, were also hopeful to continue their giant-killing panache in the upcoming league.
Arambagh’s assistant coach Zahidur Rahman Milon hopes that his side are capable of repeating their Federation Cup form in the league.
‘We got very little time to form the squad compared to other clubs but we proved our strength in the Federation Cup,’ said Milon in absence of their head coach Saiful Bari Titu.
‘Everybody knows about our strength and the players are highly motivated to continue their form in the league.’
Meanwhile, Muktijoddha Sangshad Krira Chakra and Brothers Union also expressed their desire of playing some good football and finish the league in a respectable position.
Muktijoddha coach Abdul Kaiyum Sentu said his side will try to perform their best according to their ability.
‘According to our strength, I think Muktijoddha are in the fifth to sixth position among 12 participating teams,’ said Sentu.
‘I was happy with the performance of the players but I believe that they can do better. I would be happy if we can finish the league in top four.’
Brothers’ Nepalese coach Balgopal Maharjan wants to keep his side in the title race from the beginning to till the end.
‘I played here in 2002-2003 for Brothers Union and I have clear knowledge over the strength and weaknesses of Bangladesh football,’ said the former Nepal national team coach.
‘I know the level of Bangladeshi clubs and their playing styles. So I hope we can be in the title race.’
-With New Age input
