We are a level above Nepal, says Jamal
Jamal Bhuiyan has said they could do well in the upcoming tri-nation tournament in Nepal as he feels Bangladesh are a level above the Nepal team at the moment.
The Bangladesh captain returned to the country on Friday following a satisfactory campaign with Kolkata Mohammedan Sporting Club and wasted no time getting to training with the Saif Sporting Club players yesterday ahead of the Nepal tournament.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. "I don't know what's going on with the Nepal team (regarding their training), but I think we are one level above them," Jamal said after a practice session at the Saif Sporting Club ground.
Jamal said that since the players had been all busy with the league, there should not be any concerns regarding their fitness or quality.
"Everyone is fit as the league was on. The team is strong and there are some new players. I believe we can get a good result. Jamie (Day) selected the team based on performances," said the Bangladesh captain, adding that he could not comment on first-game opponents, a Kyrgyzstan U-23 team, since he did not have much knowledge about them.
Bangladesh will play their first match against Kyrgyzstan U-23 team on Tuesday before their second match against the hosts on March 27. The top two teams of the round robin stage, where each team will play against the other once, will meet in the final on March 29.
The Bangladesh team, which flew to Nepal on Thursday, engaged in an indoor session at the gym and swimming pool session yesterday following a full-fledged training session on Friday. Jamal will join the team on Monday.
The Bangladesh captain said while being away from the team, he is working on fitness so that he can cope with the rest of the team right after reaching Kathmandu.
"The beginning in Kolkata was a bit tough because I had coronavirus. I was in isolation for almost 20 days in Qatar and then 10 days in India. So, I was out of practice and running for a month. Just got into the game after one practice session. But my fitness improved gradually," said the Bangladesh skipper, who played nine matches in the I-League for the popular Kolkata outfit.
While Jamal talked with affection about Kolkata football and how he was received wholeheartedly by the Black Panthers and their supporters, his parent club, Saif Sporting Club, were quick to extend his contract for the remainder of the season and the next season as well.
The club officials cut a cake to welcome their captain at the training ground and later completed formalities of the contract signing.
The club's managing director Nasiruddin Chowdhury said that the club would be Jamal's home for a long time.
"Jamal was always our player. He may have played for Kolkata Mohammedan on loan, but he will play the remainder of the season and the next season for us," Nasiruddin said.
Jamal said he is committed to contributing to Saif Sporting Club's success and that he would try to help the team finished at least second in the league.
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