British coach hopeful of MSC progress in premier league

The Mohammedan Sporting Club (MSC), which made a wonderful comeback under their English coach Sean Lane, pose a challenge to all top title contenders in the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League Football.

The traditional black-and-white team had been struggling for the last few seasons. They even faced the relegation threat in the first leg of the previous season. But after Sean Lane took over the charge, something has changed radically.

The MSC now look forward to fighting for the title or at least to be among the top five. How the team's approach has changed so quickly?

“There is no magic but a lot of hard work and planning. It's always important to plan to get the best out of players. If there is no system or plan, you can’t progress,” said Lane while talking to The Independent on Tuesday at a city hotel.

Along with the Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club, the MSC now stand second in the league. So, what is Lane’s target?

“We want to win every game—that’s the first plan. It's possible only when you see you can beat the best teams in the league and the Federation Cup,” says Lane.

“I told my players to dream big. They must dream of winning the league. Dreams, after all, can come true. We are playing well this season. We have no injuries and not too many suspensions. But we will have to face difficult sides. So, we will have to play our best game every time,” Lane explained.

When asked how he prepared the team, the British coach said: “Before the league started, we arranged a training camp in BKSP. I told my players at the camp what I want to achieve this season."

“We told them to work as hard as possible. They have to be fully committed and disciplined if they want to progress,” he added.

About the team most likely to win the title, Lane said: “It’s not possible to say right now. But I think any of the contenders can win the league. We just want to do well in the league. If we can finish among the top five, we will consider it a good season."

"However, if we are fourth, it would be even better! Third would be better still and second would be a very good season! And if we manage to top the table, it would be a dream season for us. My dream is to be number one,” he added.

Lane said four clubs could be the challengers to his dream. “Abahani are a good side having some national players. Bashundhara too are a good side. Chittagong Abahani and Saif are also very good. All those clubs have a lot of money and can provide huge facilities to their players," he explained.

“Bashundhara have a fantastic playground that can compare with any European club. But we don’t have the best players or a lot of money. So, we'll face tough challenges from these clubs," he said.

“Bashundhara were struggling in the league, but they did well in the AFC Cup. New foreign players will be available in the second leg. They have several good players, a good coach, and wonderful training facilities,” he also said.

“I need one great striker. I just want one change in the second leg. I am very, very happy with my foreign players,” he added.

Lane expressed his concern over the global coronavirus threat. “It was a right and wise decision to postpone the league. The Bangladesh government took a very good decision. The league has been suspended for two weeks, but it would be better if the matches were postponed for four weeks,” he said.

 

British coach hopeful of MSC progress in premier league

The Mohammedan Sporting Club (MSC), which made a wonderful comeback under their English coach Sean Lane, pose a challenge to all top title contenders in the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League Football. The traditional black-and-white team had been struggling for the last few seasons. They even faced the relegation threat in the first leg of the previous season. But after Sean Lane took over the charge, something has changed radically. The MSC now look forward to fighting for the title or at least to be among the top five. How the teams approach has changed so quickly? There is no magic but a lot of hard work and planning. Its always important to plan to get the best out of players. If there is no system or plan, you cant progress, said Lane while talking to The Independent on Tuesday at a city hotel. Along with the Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club, the MSC now stand second in the league. So, what is Lanes target? We want to win every gamethats the first plan. Its possible only when you see you can beat the best teams in the league and the Federation Cup, says Lane. I told my players to dream big. They must dream of winning the league. Dreams, after all, can come true. We are playing well this season. We have no injuries and not too many suspensions. But we will have to face difficult sides. So, we will have to play our best game every time, Lane explained. When asked how he prepared the team, the British coach said: Before the league started, we arranged a training camp in BKSP. I told my players at the camp what I want to achieve this season. We told them to work as hard as possible. They have to be fully committed and disciplined if they want to progress, he added. About the team most likely to win the title, Lane said: Its not possible to say right now. But I think any of the contenders can win the league. We just want to do well in the league. If we can finish among the top five, we will consider it a good season. However, if we are fourth, it would be even better! Third would be better still and second would be a very good season! And if we manage to top the table, it would be a dream season for us. My dream is to be number one, he added. Lane said four clubs could be the challengers to his dream. Abahani are a good side having some national players. Bashundhara too are a good side. Chittagong Abahani and Saif are also very good. All those clubs have a lot of money and can provide huge facilities to their players, he explained. Bashundhara have a fantastic playground that can compare with any European club. But we dont have the best players or a lot of money. So, well face tough challenges from these clubs, he said. Bashundhara were struggling in the league, but they did well in the AFC Cup. New foreign players will be available in the second leg. They have several good players, a good coach, and wonderful training facilities, he also said. I need one great striker. I just want one change in the second leg. I am very, very happy with my foreign players, he added. Lane expressed his concern over the global coronavirus threat. It was a right and wise decision to postpone the league. The Bangladesh government took a very good decision. The league has been suspended for two weeks, but it would be better if the matches were postponed for four weeks, he said.