The deadline day of the inter-club players’ transfer window for the upcoming football season 2014-15 is just three days away and yet, not a single premier league club have completed their official registration process till yesterday.
It is nothing new in Bangladesh football as the past few seasons showed that most of the clubs hurried to the BFF House on the deadline day or a day before to complete the players’ registration.
This is, however, due to the fact that the top premier league clubs have already formed their team well in advance although the official formalities are still to be completed.
While talking to the club officials most of their response were almost the same. “Yes, the local players’ recruitment is done. But there is still time before the deadline day,” said Sheikh Jamal manager Anwarul Karim yesterday. He added that most of the clubs will seal their deals this Wednesday or Thursday.
Among the big clubs, Sheikh Jamal have once again formed a title-winning team. Their squad contain 12 national players -highest amongst the top-flight clubs - who were recently selected to represent Bangladesh in the upcoming friendly against the Japan Under-21 side scheduled for December 18 at Bangabandhu National Stadium. They have strengthened their squad by signing Denmark-based Bangladeshi defensive midfielder Jamal Bhuiyan who recently shone for the men in Yellow and Blue in the King’s Cup in Bhutan.
The premier league champions will exclude the names of Haitian international Vaniel Sirin and Emmanuel Yogo from their squad. “The players will resume training tomorrow (today). Vaniel and Yogo will leave and we are looking to add two quality foreign players. The recruitment of local players is done,” said Anwarul.
Four-time professional league champions Abahani Limited have also formed a better team compared to the last season. The Sky Blues’ squad are a mixture of youth and experience. They have roped in goalkeeper Ziaur Rahman, defenders Ariful Islam, Mamun Mia, Nahid and Jahid, midfielders Emon Babu, Omar Faruk, Atikur Rahman and Shakil Ahmed and promising national forwards Wahed Ahmed and Aminur Rahman.
“We have formed a good team for the upcoming season and have already started our preparations. Our target will be the same as before, which is, to regain the championship title,” said Abahani manager Satyajit Das Rupu yesterday.
Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra seemed to have taken lessons from their downfall in the previous seasons by confirming the services of several star national players from Mohammedan. Emily, Zahid Hossain, Hemanta Vincent, Topu Barman, Yousuf Sifat and Nahidul Islam have already joined the club.
On the other hand, Mohammedan Sporting Club Limited are all set to disappoint their fans by drafting a weakened team. The traditional crowdpullers of Dhaka are heading into the deadline day without any national player in contention having excluded all of their best players from the previous seasons.
“We spent a lot of money on players and formed a quality team last season but what we have got in return is nothing. We will see what we can do with the new team,” said Mohammedan’s director in charge, Lokman Hossain Bhuiyan, yesterday.
Meanwhile, the conflict between Mohammedan and Abahani regarding Ariful has not been solved yet. Mohammedan said they have complained about Ariful to the Bangladesh Football Federation, claiming that the Sky Blues were involved in behind-the-doors dealing.