Not much difference between I League and BPL, says Jamal

Bangladesh national football team's captain Jamal Bhuiyan has said that he feels there is not much difference between the quality of football in the I League, the second-tier club competition in India, and the Bangladesh Premier League.

The 30-year-old, who is playing in his debut season for I league outfit Kolkata Mohammedan Sporting Club, however, said the popularity of the game is much greater in Kolkata.

The defensive midfielder will be playing his last match for the Kolkata outfit tomorrow before leaving to join the Bangladesh team in Nepal for the three-nation tournament.

"I don't think there's so much difference really," Jamal told media in the pre-match press briefing today, with the club's coach Shankarlal Chakraborty by his side.

"The local players here and the local players in Bangladesh are almost the same (in terms of quality), so I don't see any big difference. But I think there's more attention here to football than in Bangladesh," added Jamal.

The Bangladesh skipper has had a decent debut with the Kolkata outfit after being loaned out by Saif Sporting Club for the first phase of Bangladesh Premier League. Although Jamal did not score a goal, he was happy with his performances.

"Overall it has been a good experience for me. When I came it was very hard for me because of my coronavirus and the team was new and we didn't practise much together. After some time I found it's a good group and I'm proud to be here," Jamal said.

Jamal said he would be more than willing to play for the Kolkata club or in any other club for that matter, if he gets a good offer.

"Yes why not. I cannot say what the future holds, but if I get the opportunity, why not?

Jamal will leave Kolkata on March 18 and will join the Bangladesh team in Nepal for the tri-nation tournament starting from March 23.