Sheikh Jamal eye historic title

When Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club left for Kolkata on January 30 to participate in the 118th IFA Shield, hardly anyone outside the football circuit took notice. Consistent poor performances from the national team made people turn their attention away from the game. But today, people from all walks, whether a football fan or not, will have their eyes glued to their TV monitors as Sheikh Jamal stand on the verge of becoming the first Bangladesh side to clinch this historic IFA Shield title when they take on Kolkata Mohammedan Sporting Club in the final at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.
The match begins at 6:30pm (BST) and will be telecast live on satellite channel Star Jalsha Movies.
The Dhanmondi outfit, who began the tournament with a 1-2 loss against Mohammedan before beating United Sikkim 3-1, Mohun Bagan 1-0 and lastly outplaying East Bengal 3-0 in the semifinal, will have a chance to exact revenge for their earlier defeat and thereby achieve the unique feat of beating all the three giants of Kolkata.
Sheikh Jamal's Nigerian coach Joseph Afusi said the first defeat doesn't count for much as the final will be a different ball game. “We did not play badly that day; rather we were victims of poor refereeing. And we had trouble adjusting to the artificial turf, which we have overcome since. The final will be a different ball game,” said a confident Afusi.
The team had a practice session of one hour and twenty minutes at the match venue yesterday afternoon and everybody is fit and confident about winning the title, informed team manager Abdul Gaffar over phone yesterday.
“The team is very spirited and everyone is eager to give their all. There is no injury concern as first-choice goalkeeper Ziaur Rahman is back to fitness,” said Gaffar.
However, Mazharul Islam, who stood under the bar in the last match, is likely to start as the team management is not likely to tinker with the winning combination. The attack line will be spearheaded by three foreigners -- Sony Norde, Wedson Anselme and Emeka Darlington -- who have scored all the eight goals for Sheikh Jamal in the tournament so far. Mamunul Islam and Sohel Rana will be used as creative midfielder alongside Nasiruddin Chowdhury in defensive midfield position. The four-man defence is likely to be comprised of Yeasin Ahmed, Didarul Islam, Yeamin Munna and Mohammad Linkon.
The opposition are likely to take a counter-attacking approach against Sheikh Jamal's passing and pressing football. Brazilian striker Josimar will likely play up front with Nigerian forward Penn Orji in the support striker's role and be flanked by Rahim Nabi and Ashim Biswas at the wings. The Black Panthers will have veteran goalkeeper Louis Barreto under the bar.
One thing that will give the home side an advantage is a raucous partisan crowd which will be egging on Mohammedan to keep the title at home. The club's veteran midfielder Rahim Nabi felt it was more than a final.
“This is not a mere final, it has become a battle of pride between the football of India and Bangladesh. I want to score in the final and give Mohammedan the title,” said Nabi after a practice session on Thursday.
But the Sheikh Jamal team will have the prayers of millions of Bengalis this side of the border.

PROBABLE STARTING XI:
SHEIKH JAMAL DC: Mazharul (GK); Yeasin, Didarul, Linkon, Yeamin; Nasiruddin, Mamunul (C), Sohel; Sony, Wedson, Emeka.  
MOHAMMEDAN SC: Barreto (GK); Nirmal, Sabrosa, Mehraj, Dhanaranjan; Masih, Maneesh, Ashim, Nabi; Penn, Josimar.