Sk Russel the big surprise
Sheikh Russel KC are set to spring the biggest surprise when a two-month long players' transfer window for the professional football league opens today at the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF).
The fifth-place finishers in the professional league last season have ensured the services of some of the star players of the national squad, including four Abahani players in Nasirul Islam, Mamun Mia, Linkon, Zahid Hossain; five from Muktijoddha Sangsad -- Mamunul Islam, Zahid Hasan Emily, Mithun Chowdhury, Rajon Mia, Nehal -- and Sheikh Jamal's Rezaul Karim.
With a third-place finish their best result in five editions of the Bangladesh Premier League, the club are eager for a better finish this time.
“We had earlier spent a lot of money but could not find success in the league. But this time our realisation is that we need some experienced players who have good match temperaments as well as experience to deliver us the league title,” said Sheikh Russel president Nurul Alam Chowdhury.
Holders Abahani are also determined to defend their title and they have scooped up Atiqur Rahman Meshi and Abdul Baten Komol to fill the void left by the departures of Nasirul Islam, Linkon, Mohammad Robin and Mamun Mia. The Sky Blues have also retained most of their top players such as Arman Aziz, Pranotosh Kumar, Wali Faisal, Enamul Haque, Touhidul Alam.
The other title-contenders and runners-up of the last two editions Muktijoddha Sangasad are in a difficult position as all of their star players left to join Sheikh Russel and a third successive second-place finish for The Reds looks highly unlikely.
Former champions Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club, who finished a disappointing sixth last season, have strengthened their squad with star players like Ariful Islam, Shakil Ahmed and Alamgir Rana and are also trying to bring in foreign players from the Nigerian professional football league.
Mohammedan SC look set to be stuck with their mediocre status as they have not made any big-name acquisitions apart from Mohammad Robin, Maruf Ahmed and Mintu Sheikh.
However, Mohammedan's director-in-charge Lokman Hossain Bhuiya believes this squad is good enough for a fight for the title.
“Compared to the previous seasons, we have formed the best and balanced squad this time and I believe this team will fight for the title,” said Lokman.
Though the transfer window opens today, most of the clubs want to complete their registration formalities and start the training camp after the Eid vacation as the season's curtain-raising tournament is expected to get underway in the last week of September.
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