Premier Football League rolls onto ground today
Abahani take on babes Saif in opener
Sports Reporter
Leaving all the uncertainty and the suspicions behind the most coveted Bangladesh Premier League football is going to kick off from today with the defending champions Abahani Limited taking on newcomers Saif Power Sporting Club at 4.30pm.
Abahani Limited will begin their campaign eyeing to complete a hat-trick championship to make a history, as they won the titles of the first three editions in a row and Saif Power Sporting Club are also very keen to make history with winning the title on their debut.
According to the fixture of the league committee of Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF), apart from the opening day today, two matches will take place everyday at the Bangabandhu National Stadium (BNS) up to August 16 at a stretch and then from August 18 MA Aziz Stadium (Chittagong) and the BNS will host the matches of the league simultaneously.
The first leg of the league will be continued without any interval or any break up to September 20 but a four-day Eid vacation from August 31 to September 3 while the tentative schedule of second window of inter-club players transfer will be from September 21 to 30th.
However, this time the title of the league is Saif Power Battery Bangladesh Premier League with 12 teams are taking part with Saif Power Sporting Club are the debutant team.
It is very much predicted that this time the championship fight will be very excited, as it will not be confined among two or three teams while, besides the reigning champions Abahani Limited, Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club and Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra will not leave any space unchallenged to regain the title. Chittagong Abahani Limited and Mohammedan Sporting are also very much enthusiastic to taste the championship for the first time of the Professional Football League.
The Saif Power Sporting Club are also impassioned to make history to win the title at their first appearance.
Among the title contenders, holders Abahani Limited was unbeaten in the last league with winning 15 and drew seven out of 22 outings and in as many matches, runners-up Chittagong Abahani Limited conceded three defeats against 14 wins, while Sheikh Russel and Mohammedan did a very disappointing result.
Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra after a woeful first leg could manage eighth place when the condition of Mohammedan Sporting Club were more depressing when the traditional giants just escaped from the relegation with becoming 10th out of 12 teams.
This time, Jamal bring back their coach Joseph Afusi, who guided the team to 2013-14 and 2014-5 championship, Mohammedan appointed Syed Nayeemuddin, the veteran coach of India, who made Brothers Union champions in 2004 and Saif Power Sporting also appointed a Ghanian born English coach, all are aiming to lift the league tile.
