Jamal to play for Kolkata Mohammedan

Bangladesh football team captain Jamal Bhuiyan has confirmed that he would play for Kolkata Mohammedan in the upcoming I-League, scheduled to begin on November 20.

Midfield enforcer Jamal would play there for five months until the completion of the league before joining Saif Sporting Club in time for the Bangladesh Premier League 2020/21 season, slated to begin in April.

The 30-year old would earn around $7,000 per month during his stay with traditional giant Kolkata Mohammedan, established in 1891.

Jamal also informed to the media in the sidelines of national team training in Dhaka that he agreed this with Saif after his contract with the premier league side ended.

Denmark-born Jamal, who also played as a loanee for Chittagong Abahani Limited during his time as a Saif player at the Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup 2019, added, “A lot of I-League clubs asked for me, when I was asked if I would play for Kolkata Mohammedan I thought what would I play for? The championship or in the mid table or a bottom team. I was told they would fight for the championship, I said it’s my ambition also.

“If you have high ambition then I would join you but if you want to be in the bottom of the league I have no desire to go to play. They are saying they want the best players, and that they have noticed me for a long time so we want you.

“If I do well in India then they can take other players, for me I have to represent Bangladesh, I have to perform well and then hopefully see other players in India, if you work hard you can also get the chance to play in India but you have to perform in international games. People would notice you if you play well in international games.” 

Bangladesh head coach Jamie Day also expressed elation with Jamal’s Kolkata Mohammedan stint, and said, “If he does well then he opens doors for other Bangladeshi players. We can get a few playing abroad.”