Amer Khan, the uewlv appointed < iptain ol Bro ihers Union Club, hoped that his team will be in the mainstream

lor the title rate in the forth coming Premier Division loot ball, league, beginning in the capital from Monday.

While talking to local sports reporters at the Bangladesh Sports Journalists Association (BSJA) office yesterday on the second day of' briefing by local clubs regarding their prepara tion for the league Amer Khan the tall Brothers' stri ker. refused to agree that giants Abahanl and Moha mmedans will be major obstacles in their goal.

"Both Abahanl and Mohammedans have just begun their camps for the league like us. So I don't think they will be that organised in the initial stage oi the League. Our first three encounters are against Muktijoddha, Mohammedans and Abahanl. 1 hope they will be as good as any other team In their first few matches and that is what we are looking forward to" said Amer Khan, with a degree of aggression.

While talking about his team's preparation. Amer said they began their camp from July 24 They have 16 new-Icokners in the squad along with nine from last year's side which finished eighth among the elite ten.

Justifying their poor performance last season. Amer mainly blamed the lack of coordination among the local and foreign players. He said. We had no control over the four Nigerians last year. They Sed as per their own style thinking. 1 believe this was the failure of our coach. We

had lol of talent but no combi- • nation*"

Commenting on the seven players binding Imposed by DMFA this year. Amer Khan said. Initially I was against the proposal because it's against the freedom of the booters But since everybody has decided to go on with the rule this year. I also agreed ’

Asked which is the weakest part of his team, the Brothers Union captain Indicated that It was his defence But he also expressed his hope that things would be all right once the league started.

Towards, the end of the briefing Amer Khan was man enough to admit that his Brothers IJnion was involved In playing fixed matches last year.

Besides Amer Khan. BU manager Harun-ur-Rashid was also present in the briefing, organised by the BSJA

Brothers Union apart. Arambagh Krira Sangha and promotees East End Club also had their say yesterday

For Arambagh. fifth in the league last year coach Mir Mohammad All. manager Lut-for Kabir Shahajahan and captain Jahangir expressed mixed opinion on the seven-player pool system.

As far as the team officials were concerned, they have benefited from the pool system while skipper Jahangir said that this has caused a great damage to the players' earn ings.

Arambagh will field an attacking squad this year with 4-3-3 formation They have begun their residential camp from July 12 which according to them is not sufficient for a team to get prepared for such a big league.

Arambagh have three na-

tlonal under 19 booters. Tony Prodeep and Faisal, who are quite potential. Besides they have talented midfielders in Roxy. Tushar Yousuf and Mi naz Babu who are expected to perform well this year

The Arambagh officials demanded emulation of the Japanese system for the league with no scope for draws If a match ended in a tie. winners will tie determined through penalty shoot outs

Newcomers East End Club favoured more tournaments in addition to the league Tins will encourage the footballers to perform better than in a boring league said East End official Milan

Giving the state of their preparation, manager Liton and captain Manik said they began their camp from July 23 at the Dhupkhola ground in Old Dhaka under the supervi sion of national coach Samsuz zoha Chand.

About their performance, both the manager and the skipper assured the Journalists of an improved showing in the forthcoming league. According to them. Abahani and Mohammedans are favourites lor the title. "Other than these two super powers, all the other teams are almost same', said East End manager Liton.

East End Club preferred the double-league format and requested the authorities not to go for any pool System in future. They termed the pool an "undemocratic step."'

On the third day of the four-day briefing, title aspirants Mohammedan Sporting Club and promotees Bangladesh Boys will take part in the tete a-tete with journalists this afternoon at the same venue.