BPL returns in challenging conditions

After a six-week break due to the national football team's World Cup Qualifiers engagement, the Bangladesh Premier League is all set to resume today with top teams looking to consolidate their position in the 13-team table amid the alarming rise of coronavirus.

League leaders Bashundhara Kings will take on Rahmatganj Muslim Friends Society in the day's lone match at Bangabandhu National Stadium (BNS) at 5:00pm.

Defending champions Kings, with 43 points, have an 11-point lead with nearest rivals Abahani and Sheikh Jamal. Fourth-placed Chittagong Abahani and Mohammedan are in the top-three contest with 28 points each.

Although Kings are on course to win back-to-back title but Spanish coach Oscar Bruzon believes there is still a long way to go. "Our squad aims to continue the good work done throughout the season at all levels and achieve the best result ultimately," Kings coach Bruzon told The Daily Star. "This time it will be challenging for us to adjust to the potentially muddy fields in rainy conditions where physicality of direct games, box actions during set pieces and the importance of winning second balls will predominate."

Abahani coach Mario Lemos admitted that his side cannot afford to drop a single point in the remaining nine matches. "Our focus is to win all 9 matches," said Lemos. "Of course 11 points is a big gap but our goal is to keep fighting for that 1st position," said Lemos.

Barring accidents the league winner has all but been decided however, an intense relegation battle awaits falling giants Brothers Union and Arambagh as they attempt to escape out of the red zone.

Amid the coronavirus lockdown, the participating teams may also have to fight against the odd nature of grounds in this rainy season if the game's governing body cannot find out alternative grounds to BNS.

And as far as the federation and clubs are concerned, it will be a tough task to manage the Covid protocols.

"We are only enforcing previous safety protocols but strictly ensuring that players' test reports are received 36 hours before the match. Moreover, the manager of each club must let the match commissioner know about the updated health condition of each player one hour before the match begins," said professional league manager Jaber Bin Taher Ansari.