Competition on the cards

After an eight-and-a-half month gap, country's football season gets underway today through the Walton Federation Cup with a competitive tournament on the cards.

Last season's runners-up Chittagong Abahani will take on Rahmatganj MFS in the opening match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium, with Channel 9 telecasting live from the venue at 5:00pm.

Country's top booters had been engaged with the national team over the last four months where they played three successive tournaments -- Asian Games, SAFF Championship and Bangabandhu Gold Cup. Their improved performance in all three tournaments dragged the football lovers to the stadium, especially in the last two tournaments played at home.

It is not sure whether the spectators will turn up at country's premier venue to watch the domestic competition but the national footballers are ready to perform for their respective clubs along with foreign players to enthral the spectators.

Allowing four foreign players in each side is expected to make the season's curtain-raising tournament more competitive compared to the last season where only two foreigners were allowed for each side.

The dominance of African footballers in domestic competition was a constant feature in the past decade, but this time clubs like newcomers Bashundhara Kings, Abahani, Sheikh Russel KC, Chittagong Abahani, Saif SC and Sheikh Jamal DC have flown in some quality players from beyond Africa while some quality players have also been signed under the Asian quota.

“The standard of the tournament will increase this time around because of the inclusion of four foreign players, who are expected to be skilful compared to last season's players,” Sheikh Russel coach Saiful Bari Titu said. “Obviously those clubs who formed strong squads on paper with a particular purpose will stay in the race but other teams will also have a shot on title due to foreign players.”

Country's top coach Maruful Haque also believes the standard of the domestic competitions will be high this time due to the presence of quality foreign players.

“The performance of the players will gradually be better due to the presence of four foreign players, who will, I think, draw attention of the spectators through their quality performance,” said Arambagh KS coach Maruful Haque, who aims to take last year's Independence Cup champions to the semifinals.

As the champions of Federation Cup will get the ticket for the AFC Cup, the tournament is expected to be more competitive among the clubs who are eligible to play the continental event. In that case, holders Abahani, newcomers Bashundhara Kings, Sheikh Russel KC and Saif SC are expected to take it more seriously than just a preparatory tournament for the upcoming Bangladesh Premier Football League.

The local booters will also hope to draw the attention of national coach Jamie Day by demonstrating good performance as the coach will keep his eyes on the performances of the local players with the aim of picking new players for FIFA friendly matches in November.