'We control the sub-continent'

Goalscorer Yeasin Khan (L) and striker Shakhawat Hossain Rony run towards the Sheikh Jamal DC dugout to celebrate the 24th minute strike against Pune FC in the final of the King's Cup yesterday. PHOTO: COURTESY

The country's new football powerhouse Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club are gradually acquiring fame beyond Bangladesh's borders as the Bangladesh Premier League champions lifted their second overseas trophy in four years by winning Bhutan's King's Cup yesterday.
After enthralling the local spectators, Sheikh Jamal DC amused the overseas crowd in Bhutan with their dazzling display. They had earlier won over fans in Kolkata earlier this year and in Nepal in 2011.

Sheikh Jamal president Manzur Kader believes that winning the King's Cup is a great advert for Bangladesh football and that the club's performance proved that Bangladesh's football is on the right track. “Once upon a time, the sub-continent's football was controlled by Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Kolkata Mohammedan. But that is no longer the case. We (Sheikh Jamal) are controlling it now. We have proved it after beating Mohun Bagan, East Bengal in the IFA Shield and winning the King's Cup,” an ecstatic Kader told The Daily Star over the phone.
The Sheikh Jamal president and the players are still haunted by the failure of the final in the IFA Shield, where they lost to Kolkata Mohammedan 1-0 in the final. The King's Cup triumph, according to club officials and players, has helped 'heal the pain'.     
 “Although the King's Cup is a new competition compared to the IFA shield, it is equally prestigious. I am really happy that the boys brought a laurel for the club as well as the nation,” said Kader. “The credit goes to the players as well as the coach, who really held the match for the last 15 minutes with his tactics.”
Sheikh Jamal were under huge pressure after taking a 24-minute lead and survived scares in the second half to have the last laugh and leave the field with their heads held high.
“Landing (Darboe) and Emeka (Darlington) were not fully fit and that's why we were under pressure and instructed all the players to defend the lead. We successfully dealt with the situation as we played in such situations before,” said coach Maruful Haque.
Captain Nasiruddin Chowdhury was happy to start the season with an overseas trophy and believes winning the King's Cup will inspire them to win all the domestic trophies.
“It is a really special day in my football career as Sheikh Jamal clinched the title under my captaincy,” said Nasir. “We dedicate this win to the martyrs of the War of Independence in the month of victory.”