When the professional football league began in Bangladesh eight years ago, Abahani and Mohammedan were the main contenders for the title. Despite stiff competition from Mohammedan, Abahani eventually claimed the crown in each of the first three seasons.
Who could have possibly envisaged if that would prove to be the conclusion of the Abahani-Mohammedan era? Step forward Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club.
Sheikh Jamal entered the domestic scenario by forming a star-studded squad with a big budget. The Dhanmondi giants, blended with a fine mixture of quality foreigners and local stars, went on to clinch their first title in their maiden appearance in the top-flight.
A dominant Sheikh Jamal however, did not have things all their way. Abahani and Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra sealed the next two titles, paving the way for Sheikh Jamal to reshuffle their squad. The rest, as they say, is history as the Dhanmondi outfit bagged their second and third title in the ensuing seasons.
This season already seems to be the most memorable for owner Manjur Kader and his Sheikh Jamal outfit. They have won three silverwares, including the prestigious premier league title last Thursday.
Here we take a look at four important factors that tilted the title in Sheikh Jamal’s favour.
The difference makers
Sheikh Jamal have three foreign attackers who are arguably the best among all the overseas recruits in the top-tier. The combination has proven to be deadly as the trio scored a combined 46 goals so far this season, which is nine more than Mohammedan’s tally. Most of the sides could not even cross the 30-goal mark, including Abahani. Emeka Darlington and Wedson Anselme are jointly leading the goal-scorers’ chart with 17 strikes each. Alongside the foreign trio, Mamunul Islam has also played a crucial role. The talismanic midfielder put in vital contributions and netted his first league hattrick this season.
Change in coaching and style
The season began under the stewardship of Maruful Haque, who guided Sheikh Jamal to the King’s Cup success in Bhutan and the season-opening Federation Cup in Dhaka. Since then, confidence was sky-high in the Sheikh Jamal camp as they lost only one league game in first phase.
However, Kader, a man who is extremely hard to please, probably wanted his club to stay unbeaten in the first phase, hence, the arrival of Nigerian coach Joseph Afusi in place of Maruf.
Afusi, in his second stint as coach of Sheikh Jamal, introduced a new attacking dimension to play. Since Afusi’s arrival, Sheikh Jamal have thumped in 33 goals from only eight matches in the second phase. This was in stark contrast to the first phase when the champions scored 23 goals from 10 matches under the guidance of Maruf.
Maruf however, organised the defence line better than Afusi. While Sheikh Jamal managed four clean sheets under Maruf, Afusi is yet to earn a clean slate, conceding 13 goals.
Signing of the season
Sheikh Jamal’s foreign department was not the same after Haitian sensation Sony Norde left the club. But it all changed when they recruited Landing Darboe from Feni Soccer Club. The Gambian attacking midfielder has scored 12 goals so far in the league this season along with the highest number of assists. Most of his goals were a treat to watch and looked effortless. He also scored the winning goal against Mohammedan to ensure the title.
Upcoming assignment
As Afusi said after winning the league title, their main concentration now is to qualify for the AFC Cup. Considering their form and squad, it would not be a surprise for them to surprise the others clubs in Asia. Sheikh Jamal were placed in Group B in the qualifiers, alongside Alga and Benfica de Macau. The qualifiers will be held in Kyrgyzstan from August 11-15.
