Matin raring to return

National team's forward Matin Mia is eagerly counting days to return to the pitch after recovering from a hamstring injury which he sustained during the Bangabandhu Gold Cup's semifinal against Burundi on January 23.

Matin, who scored a brace against Sri Lanka in a group-stage match, left the field just four minutes after kick-off with a muscle cramp as the home team suffered a 3-0 defeat.

The 22-year-old then missed out on the first six matches of the Bangladesh Premier league (started on February 13) for his club Bashundhara Kings, who have struggled to sixth position on the 13-team table before league was suspended due to coronavirus.

The lad from Sylhet has now recovered and he feels fit enough to help his side back to the top of the table, but the suspension of the league is delaying his return.

"After the injury, it took me 20 days to get back to training but the injury returned again. Then it took me another 20 days to be fully fit. At the moment, I feel I'm in good condition and fit enough to play competitive matches," Matin told The Daily Star over phone from Sylhet.

Explaining his fitness, Matin said, "Before the postponement of the training camp on March 17, I sprinted smoothly and raced separately under the supervision of the club trainer and I did not face any problem or feel any pain. Even after returning home in Sylhet, I have been training on the school ground adjacent to our home as per the trainer's instructions."

Last year Matin, along with Brazilian striker Marcos Vinicius, formed a lethal attack for Bashundhara Kings, scoring 25 goals together to help the side win the league title in their debut season. But now Matin feels bad to see his side struggle, especially after failing to play because of injury.

"It doesn't feel good when the team loses or draws. I feel I could have contributed had I been on the ground. Last season, we were always on top but this time we are going through ups and downs. I think we lack a good striker like Vinicius. If I get an opportunity to play in the starting eleven, I think the coach will play me in flank with (Daniel) Colindres in striking zone and I believe I can assist Colindres to score," said Matin, who had readjusted his target of scoring more goals than the 11 he scored last season. His initial target, before injury, was to score 20 goals.

The promising forward, who also scored in the final of the Independence Cup last season to help Bashundhara Kings lift the trophy, has a regret of not being able to play AFC Cup due to the injury.

"I did not play AFC Cup before, so I had a dream of making debut against TC Sports but I had to watch the match from the gallery. However, it was really pleasing to see my team win 5-1," said Matin.

Matin believes the postponement of all domestic and international competitions will give him an opportunity to represent both the club and the national team when normalcy returns.

"I could have missed all international matches had those been held in time but the postponement of the World Cup qualifiers is giving me an opportunity to represent the country again. I really dream to play against India and I believe my dream will come true," said Matin, who has been playing top-flight football for the last three seasons.a