Rise of the minnows
The second round matches of JB Bangladesh Premier League gets underway today at the MA Aziz Stadium in Chittagong, with the giants hoping to bounce back after the first round was dominated by minnows.
After one game each, newly promoted Uttar Baridhara Club are surprisingly on top of the 12-team table with three points while 10 other teams except for title contenders Sheikh Russel KC are in joint second position with a single point each. Five out of the six matches have produced identical 1-1 draws while only Uttar Baridhara managed a an outright 1-0 win over Sheikh Russel KC.
That all the giants, especially the title contenders, have failed to secure win in their respective first round matches of the professional football league has come as a novelty. The way the supposed minnows fought with spirit against their superior rivals was refreshing while the tie between the two Abahanis also lived up to the hype as there was plenty of competition on offer in the first round.
“Sheikh Russel's defeat to Uttar Baridhara was an unexpected one, but the difference between other giants such as Mohammedan, Brothers Union, Muktijoddha Sangsad and the minnows such as Rahmatganj MFS, Feni Soccer has reduced. However, we are trying to come back strongly in the second round,” said Mohammedan coach Joshimuddin Ahmed Josy.
Arambagh KS coach Saiful Bari Titu explained the reasons behind the unexpected rise of the minnows. He feels that standard of coaching has improved a lot and the coaches are working hard to get results against the big teams. The players are also getting inspiration from teams like Leicester City, Wales, Iceland as well as from the fact that they are being called up for the national team.
Today Uttar Baridhara will take on Sheikh Jamal DC while Sheikh Russel will play against Rahmatganj MFS at the same venue in Chittagong.
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