Kings will go ahead as per plan: Imrul
Bashundhara Kings President Imrul Hassan said that they will go ahead as per their method after Asian Soccer Confederation didn't produce any announcement on AFC Cup postponement.
“We’ll go ahead according to system because AFC made simply no latest announcement of postponement. Additionally, the AFC meet commissioner instructed us yesterday (Thursday) to full our preparations for your competition,” Imrul advised The Daily Sunlight on Friday.
“We’ve completed all formalities for the tour. The crew is also well prepared. Hopefully, they'll leave Dhaka for Maldives on Sunday,” Imrul, who is also the 1st vice-president of Bangladesh Soccer Federation, added.
Maldives, the hosts of AFC Glass Group D complements, pleaded AFC to postpone the competition as a result of recent Covid-19 outbreak found in South Asia region however the governing body of Asian football made a decision to continue the meet on Thursday.
“The existing Covid-19 situation through the entire sub-continent is really alarming but the competition can be important. Last calendar year, it was abandoned. If the same thing happens this time, it'll make a deep effect on our football. I think your competition must continue under strict health measures and awareness,” said Imrul.
Kings are actually scheduled to leave Dhaka for Maldives on Sunday in 06:15 pm. The 45-member team, comprising 26 players and 19 officials, will experience mandatory Covid-19 check after landing there.
Dhivehi Premier Little league (Maldives) champions Maziya Athletics and Recreation Golf club and India’s ATK Mohun Bagan will be the other participating clubs in the group.
The Group D complements are scheduled to occur on May 14-20 at National Soccer Stadium in Male.
Prior to the group stage, a qualifying play-off between Indian club Bengaluru FC and Maldivian Golf club Eagles will take place on May 11 at the same venue. The winners will become a member of the group as the fourth competitor. Bengaluru FC landed in Maldives on Friday.
Kings, which made a good memorable debut found in AFC Glass 2020 beating Maldivian TC Sports Club by 5-1 goals, formed a good balanced squad this season also including four new foreigners -- Raul Becerra, Jonathan da Silveira Fernandes Reis and Robson Azevedo da Silva Robinho and Khaled Shafiei.
Kings’ Nigeria-born forwards Eleta Kingsley, who had been awarded Bangladeshi citizenship last March, can’t be a part of the competition as he's yet to get his NID and Bangladeshi passport.
The 31-year-old frontward has been training with Kings for a lot more than three weeks ahead of the second phase of Bangladesh Premier Group but can't compete there for the same reason.
