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PREMIER LEAGUE

Team watch: Muktijoddha

SPORTS REPORTER
Always good starters, Muktijoddha Sangsad however often stumble as they near the finish line.
This has happened on too many occasions for comfort after their sensational first league triumph in 1994 which introduced them as a powerhouse in local football. But despite being in the limelight for a decade, the Reds have only won two league titles (1997 and 2003) inbetween.
Last year, they clinched the Federation Cup to start the season on a high note but then gradually drifted away. A similar hot and cold beginning this year has once again cast doubts about Muktijoddha's Premier Football League prospects.
Champions in the Independence Day Gold Cup and runners-up in the Federation Cup, the Reds have lost all three of their home matches in the ongoing AFC Cup.
Coach Shafiqul Islam Manik however, played down the concern.
"Our performance leading up to the Premier League has been consistent but luck was not always with us," said Manik while talking to Daily Star Sport on Wednesday.
"When our strikers have scored, we have got the results. Our striking duo of Moni and Kanchan managed just three goals together in the last league and that was one of the main reasons why we fared poorly," said Manik whose boys finished fourth.
"But we reached the National League final as Moni was in fantastic form, scoring seven goals. Our luck ran out eventually and we lost the final on penalties.
"This year Kanchan has lost form after a good start but we have to keep faith with the national players. Our failure to convert chances has cost us in the Federation Cup as well as in the AFC Cup home ties," he explained.
National striker Moni, who underwent a knee surgery in India on Tuesday, is not expected to play any part in the league and Muktijoddha will have to rely on Nigerian forward Paul Nwakwhucu's scoring ability and hope that Kanchan returns to form.
"It is also difficult for a player to keep his form over two months. If the league finishes on schedule, the team would peak at the right time and would surely be a contender to win the championship."
The former national footballer was also worried about some other things.
"Already, the federation (BFF) has changed the bylaws regarding the quota of foreign players under pressure from different teams. We expect the authorities to be neutral. The referees should also have the freedom to conduct a match fairly and without pressure. We just don't want to become victims of these factors. The best referee was not appointed for the Federation Cup final and decisions went against us. I am also concerned about crowd behaviour. During that final, our supporters were driven out by fans of two big clubs," said Manik.
Manik thought that apart from the Reds, Abahani, Mohammedan and Brothers were all capable of winning the title.
"With respect to their performance last year, I'd say that Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra are not in the same league."
Manik has often been criticised for his defensive approach but the coach defended his actions as 'tactical necessity'.
"Usually, I field three defenders. I know my packed midfield features many defenders but I have never instructed them to stay behind.
Sometimes, they can not implement the instructions," he said.
Manik has used a 3-4-1-2 formation this season with playmaker Arman operating behind the forwards. He has a very strong reserve bench but hardly any replacement for Arman.
"When he is not around, I have to go with a 3-5-2 formation. It was the case during the Federation Cup final when Arman had to be pulled off after halftime."
The Muktis will certainly enjoy a few advantages. They not only possess the best goalkeeper in the
country in Aminul but his replacement Titumeer is a fine prospect and has conceded only one goal in four appearances.
In addition, they have Belal's unique long and measured throwins that have terrorised teams home and abroad. Belal has already created a number of goals from throws-ins but Manik believes he still has to establish himself as a defender.
"I have given him many chances. He has to improve more as a defender. I think his ability to throw the ball with power is a bonus only when he performs his duty as a back. Otherwise, I will have to try him for short periods."
Muktijoddha were yet to decide on their foreign recruits and are still looking for a striker or a midfielder. They wish to keep either Rwandan defender Harry or Ghana's Charles Ghansah.
Squad: Aminul, Titumeer, Mamun (goalkeepers), Rajani, Harry, Belal, Titu, Ghansah, Hassan Al Mamun, Azizi Al Arman, Riad, Ashraf, Ujjal, Shamsher (defenders), Pappu, Saiful, Iqbal, Biddyut, Arman, Amin Rana, (midfielders), Moni, Paul, Kanchan, Enamul, Rony (forwards).