Premier league back with four matches
The title race of the Bangladesh Premier League will be virtually confined to within two teams when the second leg gets underway today, with four matches taking place in four different venues outside the capital.
Some four to five teams were expected to have been in the race when the 10th edition of the top-tier professional league started in the third week of January, but the scenario changed a lot in just 13 weeks following the completion of 78 matches.
Teams like holders Abahani, newcomers Bashundhara Kings, resurgent Sheikh Russel KC, Saif Sporting Club, Sheikh Jamal DC and Mohammedan SC formed strong squads to show signs of a competitive race but most of the contenders have fallen out of the race by the midway, leaving it into a two-way battle between six-time champions Abahani and newcomers Bashundhara Kings.
Bashundhara Kings, who are four points ahead of second-placed Abahani, are in superb form since the start of the league as they dropped only two points in 12 matches. They have also strengthened their attacking line-up by signing up Trinidad & Tobago striker Willis Deon Plaza while the newcomers are getting back the services of all players, some of whom missed some crucial matches due to injuries.
“Bashundhara Kings fielded their full-strength side in the last two matches following recovery of all injured players. They are now in good shape ahead of tomorrow’s [Thursday] game while goal-scoring will be less of an issue with the inclusion of Plaza,” said the club’s manager BA Jubair Nipu.
“However, the match against Abahani is a do-or-die for us. If we can beat them again, we will go close to the title,” said Nipu. Bashundhara Kings have 34 points from 12 matches.
However, Abahani are determined to topple Bashundhara Kings to retain the title as the Sky Blues do not want to drop a single point in the second leg and bring down Bashundhara Kings to close the gap.
“We believe we can [topple Bashundhara] and we are working towards that’s goal. The goal is to become champions,” said Abahani’s Portuguese coach Mario Lemos. “We know we are 4 points behind Bashundhara and we can’t lose points in the second leg, every game is crucial for us.”
Third-placed Sheikh Russel KC, with 27 points, are still not entirely out of the race but they need some miraculous results to overtake both Abahani and Bashundhara Kings.
“We are seven points behind Bashundhara, so we are a bit behind in the race. If the match between Abahani and Bashundhara ends in a draw, then we will also come into the race again and we need to notch up points in the matches against Abahani and Bashundhara,” said Sheikh Russel KC coach Saiful Bari Titu, who is aiming to finish at least in second position.
The title race may have turned into a two-horse race, the battle to avoid has turned intense with three to four teams fighting still fighting. There will be no surprise if once-giants like Brothers Union or Mohammedan may fall from the top-flight this season.
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