Bangladesh captain Mamunul Islam will not be making his debut for Atletico de Kolkata when they take on Mumbai City FC in the opening match of the inaugural Indian Super League game at the Salt Lake Stadium today. Antonio Lopez Habas, the coach of Atletico de Kolkata, confirmed Mamunul that he will not consider the Bangladesh midfielder for the first match even as a substitute player.‘Coach told me that I will not be considered for the first match game,’ Mamunul told New Age on Saturday.
‘In my position they [Atletico] have several options like former Spanish national team player Luis Garcia, so it will be tough for me to break into the team competing with uropean players,’ the attacking midfielder said.
Mamunul, however, had something to cheer when he heard from the club officials that the coach was satisfied with his style of playing while watching him during practice session.
‘The officials told me that coach liked my playing style and I’m hopeful that I will get some chance of playing in the coming matches,’ he said.
‘As I joined the camp late, I’m working hard to adjust with the team. I would have learnt many things if I had joined the training camp from the beginning,’ said Mamunul, who had to wait for Bangladesh’s Asian Games campaign to complete before joining the Kolkata outfit.
‘Wearing the Atletico de Kolkata shirt gives me immense satisfaction as a footballer. My goal will be to play a big part for the team and prove my worth,’ said Mamunul.
Meanwhile, Jose Barreto, the assistant coach of Atletico believed that Mamunul’s addition to the squad has increased the strength of the team’s midfield.
‘Mamunul is a very promising player from Bangladesh and already has a desirable career. He is a hero in Bangladesh football and hopefully will soon be the toast of all Atletico de Kolkata fans in India,’ goalf.com quoted Barreto as saying.
-With New Age input
