Sheikh Jamal will probably remember this Bangladesh Premier Football League season for a long time to come. Forming a star-studded squad with renowned foreign and local recruits, the Dhanmondi-based club kicked off this campaign with one goal and motto - to win all four silverwares. They initially kept their commitment by winning the season’s opener, the Federation Cup, but missed out on the Independence Cup.
Nevertheless, the most prestigious title in any country is the premier league and Sheikh Jamal have taken the title home in some style setting a number of records, beating Abahani Limited and Mohammedan Limited on the way. Bearing in mind that this is the first time the league is being played in three phases, Sheikh Jamal have registered the most number of points (58) so far, won the most number of games (17) and created a gap of 12 points with second-placed Abahani, the highest margin of lead at the top of the points table.
It is Sheikh Jamal’s second premier league crown since their first one in 2010-11 but it was not an easy achievement that time by any stretch of the imagination as they were only a point ahead of second-placed Muktijoddha Sangsad.
Their only failure this season in the Independence Cup can well and truly be covered by their heroic display in the 118th IFA Shield held in India. “Our best performance was in the IFA Shield. I have managed many clubs but never seen such performances by a Bangladeshi club,” said club president Manjur Kader after the game yesterday.
“The expectation was high after the IFA Shield but we did not continue in the same vein in the league. The team that I formed this season should have won the title without conceding a point,” he added.
Skipper Mamunul Islam was ecstatic after the game. “It was all about hard work and team work. The players worked really hard to take this side this far. The delight was doubled after sealing the title against Abahani.
“I was a part of both the title-winning seasons and it feels really great,” said the left-footed playmaker.
The captain also thanked the club management for throwing their support behind the players.
