Muktijoddha Sangsad footballers exercise before the eyes of their coach Asghar Ali Nasir (R) at the BG Press ground yesterday.Photo: STAR

They will take the field as runners-up of the last Federation Cup held in 2005. But the latest crop of Muktijoddha Sangsad is unlikely to repeat a similar performance when the season starts next month.
Once local giants, Muktijoddha ventured into mediocrity after their parent organisation has washed the hands off the famous football team.
A group of footballers, led by recent-past national footballer Feroz Mahmud Titu, took great risk by forming a team after more than one year of football-less-ness despite the uncertainty of getting any remuneration for the coming season.
Things have bettered after 19 brave footballers signed for the Reds on the last day of transfer in June as the Sangsad central command finally gave its nod to provide fund for running the team.
And after two weeks of training in unfamiliar circumstances -- they used to get maximum facility including a good ground and rich accommodation -- of the uneven BG Press ground and its adjacent ordinary housing, coach Al Asghar Nasir believes they are set to break all barriers.
"The short time we've got is not enough for reaching pick of fitness. But fitness level is not all. I have to think about competition and also have to work on skill, strategy and other things to prepare the team for the Federation Cup which is very close," Nasir told The Daily Star yesterday.
"I am happy at what we've achieved so far but that's far from being 100 percent. The reality is that my players have accepted my manual and I am satisfied with that," said the bearded coach, who was highly praised for presenting Khulna Abahani's lively brand of football in the inaugural B. League last year.
Nasir, who has to cope with the loss of stars like Aminul, Rajani, Hassan Al Mamun, Arman Aziz and Matiur Munna, said he wants to prove that Muktijoddha have the material to play good and rhythmic football.
"The Federation Cup is actually not our target but we will be there to entertain the crowd for sure. If the final round is delayed by two weeks as we've heard (due to the Olympic Games), we would become a fully fit and very competitive team but can't promise result.
"It's certain that Muktijoddha have lost their strength and unless we get some quality foreigners, we can't say we would reach the semifinals."
The Reds have two foreigners, defender Michael and midfielder Victor, in their squad and Moroccan midfielder Ighir Mohamed, who played for Sheikh Russel in the last two seasons, is expected to arrive soon but the coach did not sound optimistic about their presence.
"Michael is not bad but he has been suffering from fever like two more local defenders. So we can't go into matches at this moment," Nasir said adding that he hopes to play at least 3-4 practice matches before the competition starts.
Both the Reds imports have yet to get clearance certificates and if available, they are expected to play in the Federation Cup.
"The duo has made some sort of adjustments and improved after training with us but if we get new players just before the competition, it would be difficult for them to gel with the others in such a short time.
"The Federation Cup would be the ground where we will assess our position and sort out what we need to do to come with full force in the professional league."
SQUAD
Nizam, Mostaque, Himel, Rezaul Karim Biplab, Rajib, Azizi Al Arman, Titu, Shahinur Roni, Bappi, Tajul, Jalaluddin, Masud Alam, Asif, Biddyut, Sentu, Amin Rana, Kanchan, Walid and Milon.