Kings to wear Bangladesh flag on AFC Cup jersey

Midfielder Sohel Rana has been playing in the domestic top-flight and for the national football team since 2013, having previously represented Abahani and Sheikh Jamal in the AFC Cup. The midfielder is now set to represent Bashundhara Kings in the AFC Cup in Kolkata on May 18 after being drawn in Group D alongside ATK Mohun Bagan, Gokulam Kerala FC and Maziya S&RC. The experienced 28-year-old spoke to The Daily Star's Anisur Rahman and discussed different aspects regarding the Bashundhara Kings ahead of the team's departure for India today.

The Daily Star: How do you feel ahead of the start of the AFC Cup on the back of a triumph in your last Bangladesh Premier League match, which extended your gap at the top of the table to six points?

Sohel Rana: Although we had a difficult time to start the league, we are now in good shape and have a balanced side. Because we are the league leaders, we needed a victory in the last match [against Bangladesh Police FC] to keep our confidence high ahead of the AFC Cup. I believe everyone is going to play the AFC Cup in good spirits.

DS (The Daily Star): Although, your four foreign recruits played a key role as Bashundhara Kings became champions in the Bangladesh Premier League last season, they struggled in the AFC Cup. Can the current crop of foreign players help Kings in the AFC Cup? 

SR (Sohel Rana): Spanish forward Nuha Marong did not play the last match because of a minor muscle injury but is expected to be fit for the start of the AFC Cup. In my opinion, Brazilian Robson Da Silva is the top player among all foreigners in the BPL. Iranian defender Khaled Shafiei is also playing well after returning from injury while new signing Miguel Ferreira has been adjusting to the team. The positive side is that his finishing and passing accuracy are really good. Kings have also signed three other foreign players -- Sudi Abdullah [Burundi], Chinedu Matthew [Nigeria] and Stojan Vranjes [Bosnia]. They are also good. Matthew has been training with us while Sudi will join us Saturday. Kings could not get the services of all their foreign players in the last campaign because of injuries but this time there will be no such problems.

DS: Who are do you think are the favourite of Group D?

SR: I think Mohun Bagan are favourites but Bashundhara Kings are not any less than favourites, especially considering our current state. If we can maintain our rhythm in the AFC Cup, we can go past Mohun Bagan. Gokulam Kerala FC is also a good team.

DS: Did you get this idea after watching Abahani's 3-1 loss to Mohun Bagan in the play-off match?

SR: Abahani exited due to making silly mistakes although at one stage they were dominating.

We hope not to make the same mistakes because Oscar Bruzon has been working for the AFC Cup for more than three weeks and showing us how we want to play against all our opponents.

DS: Although the forward line looks well-equipped, do you think Bashundhara may face trouble due to a vulnerable backline?

SR: The backline was vulnerable due to the absence of Tapu [Barman] and Khaled. But it is in good shape after centre-back Khaled's return. He can pair with either Bishwanath Ghosh or Tarik Raihan Kazi. Bishwanath is playing really well in his new position. Tariq used to play as a right-back, so it makes it easy for the coach Oscar to decide his backline. The big advantage is that we have a strong bench, with players that are almost as good as the starters.

DS: Bashundhara Kings were unbeaten in the group stage of the last edition of the AFC Cup, finishing second with one win and two draws. What is your objective this time?

SR: Our only target is to qualify for the next round of the AFC Cup. We will all try hard to achieve our target. The players are motivated to give their best because the club is providing a lot of support and facilities without being asked. The club has a target to establish itself at the Asian level and we have quality players who can change the fate of the match at any time. Bashundhara Kings is also representing Bangladesh beyond borders. Kings players will wear jerseys that have the flag of Bangladesh embedded in them too, so we all want to produce good results for the nation.