Saif Sporting Club

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Saif SC
Saif SC official logo.png
Full nameSaif Sporting Club Limited
FoundedAugust 2016; 5 years ago (August 2016)
GroundMunshigonj District Stadium
Capacity10,000
OwnerSaif Powertec Limited
Managing DirectorBangladesh Nasiruddin Chowdhury
Head coachArgentina Andrés Cruciani
LeagueBangladesh Premier League
2021BPL, 4th of 13
WebsiteClub website
Current season

Saif Sporting Club is an association football club based in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It currently competes in the Bangladesh Football Premier League, the top flight of Bangladeshi football.[1]

The club is owned by Saif Powertec Limited. The main goal of the club is to bring professionalism in every step.

History[]

Saif Sporting Club formed officially in August 2016. On September 10, 2016 Bangladesh Football Federation gave the green signal to the club to participate in 2016 Bangladesh Championship League.[2][3][4][5]

2015–16 season[]

The club appointed the Serbian Nikola Kavazovic as their first head coach in September 2016. He was the first ever foreign coach in Bangladesh Championship League history, which is the second-tier football league of the country. Riyadul Hasan Rafi was the first ever captain of the club.

Saif Sporting Club played their first official match against T & T Club on October 29, 2016, during 2016 Bangladesh Championship League. Sumon Ali scored the first ever goal for the club in same match where the club was victorious by 3–1 goal margin.[6]

They finished the league as runners-up and got promoted to Bangladesh Football Premier League.[7] They were unbeaten through the season with six wins and eight draws. Motin Mia scored 5 goals from 12 matches for the club and won the player of the tournament award.[8]

2017–18 season[]

The club went to Kolkata for their preseason conditioning camp in March 2017. They are the first ever Bangladeshi club to go abroad for preseason camp.[9] On March 22, 2017, they played their first friendly against I-League 2nd Division side Southern Samity, where the match ended with a 2–2 scoreline. Sajid and Sava was the scorer for Saif SC. On March 28 they beat East Bengal F.C. youth team by 1–0. Rahim was the scorer of that winning goal.[10] On April 10, 2017, they played another friendly against East Bengal F.C. youth team and the match ended with 1–1 scoreline. Motin Mia was the scorer from Saif SC.[11]

Serbian coach Nikola Kavazovic was sacked from the club during this pre season camp. The ex-Ghana striker Kim Grant was appointed as new head coach for the club in April 2017.[12]

On April 27, 2017, the club officially announced Ryan Northmore as their assistant coach for upcoming season.[13]

On April 29 the club completed their player registration for upcoming season.[14] The club submitted a list of 27 registered players to BFF, including three foreign footballers. The club also provided seven of their current players – Sazzad, Kabir, Shadin, Saddam, Rafi, Likhon and Rahim – four-year contracts. Pinning down such number of players to long-term contracts is an unusual scene in the country's domestic football scenario. The club named Jamal Bhuyan as the captain. Jamal, the expatriate footballer, signed a 14-month contract with the option of extending the deal. The club also signed national booters Shakil Ahmed, Hemanta Vincent Biswas, Jewel Rana, Ariful Islam and Topu Barman, who was paid the highest. They also recruited Chittagong Abahani youngster and winger Mohammad Ibrahim and Rahmatganj defender Shawkat Russel. Saif Sporting's foreign signings include forwards Hember Valencia and Alvi Fokou Fopa and midfielder Deiner Córdoba.[15]

Saif SC started their 2017 Bangladesh Federation Cup journey with 1–1 goal draw against defending champion Dhaka Abahani.[16] Mohammad Ibrahim scored that only goal for the club. However they lost their next game against Muktijoddha Sangsad KS by 1–0 and were out of the tournament.

On 28 July 2017 Saif Sporting Club played their first professional league game against Dhaka Abahani where they lost the match by a 3–2 margin.[17] On August 5, 2017, the club won their first professional league game against Arambagh KS by 1–0 scoreline. Motin Mia scored the winning goal for the club.[18][19]

On August 7, 2017, the club announced the name of Haitian forward Wedson Anselme as their new foreign recruit for the second leg of the league.[20]

On August 26, 2017, Colombian forward Hember Valencia scored first ever hat-trick for the club against Brothers Union and won the game with 5–0 scoreline during 2017 Bangladesh Football Premier League.[21]

Kim Grant was sacked from the club after the first leg of 2017 Bangladesh Football Premier League. Assistant coach Ryan Northmore replaced him as the new head coach of the club. During mid-season transfer window the club released Colombian Deiner Cordoba and signed Charlie Sheringham (son of former English forward Teddy Sheringham) for the second leg of 2017 Bangladesh Football Premier League.[22][23][24]

Saif Sporting Club played their first match against Dhaka Abahani on 13 November 2017 under the guidance of their new head coach Ryan Northmore and were victorious by 2–1 margin.[25] New foreign recruit Wedson Anselme and Charlie Sheringham both of them scored one goal each in this match for the club on their debut.[26][27]

On 2 January 2018, history was created as Saif Sporting Club beat Sheikh Russel KC 2–1 to qualify for the 2018 AFC Cup playoffs after confirming at least a fourth-place finish in the Bangladesh Premier League and they did it on their professional debut and in just two seasons of emergence.[28] Saif signed Uzbek midfielder Ahror Umarjonov as an Asian foreigner recruit for AFC cup.[29]

On 23 January 2018, Saif made their continental cup debut against Maldivian side TC Sports Club at Bangabandhu National Stadium in 2018 AFC Cup. They lost the match by 0–1 margin. But they were bit unlucky as the whole game was dominated by them and their fours attempts were denied by woodwork.[30] They lost the second leg by 1–3 goals (On aggregate : 1–4) & were out of the tournament. The club also say goodbye 2017–18 Independence Cup from group stage. Due to poor performance in both domestic and continental circuit Head Coach Ryan Northmore was sacked from the club at end of the season.[31]

2018–19 season[]

On 25 February 2018, The club announced the name of Stewart Hall as their new head coach for 2018–19 season.[32] On 15 April 2018, the club officially introduced Stewart Hall as their new head coach to the fans.[33] On the same day, it was also revealed that Tanzanian Dennis Kitambi will join the club as an assistant coach for the upcoming season.[34] On 1 August 2018, club signed South Korean forward Park Seung-il as their first ever Asian visa foreigner for upcoming league.[35]

On 23 September 2018, Saif Sporting Club clinched the Bodousa Cup title with a 2–0 win over ISL side Jamshedpur FC Reserves in the final at Katchujan Field, Tinsukia. Russian playmaker Denis Bolshakov opened the scoring in the 21st minute before Korean striker Park Seung-il doubled the lead from the penalty spot five minutes from the final whistle and confirm the first ever international silverware for his club.[36]

On 14 October, the club completed their player registration for upcoming season. The club submitted a list of 32 registered players to BFF, including four foreign footballers.[37]

Saif SC started their 2018 Bangladesh Federation Cup journey with a 3–1 goal victory over Team BJMC.[38]

After managing about only two matches as head coach of the club, Stewart Hall leaves the club with mutual understanding. On 7 November 2018, it was revealed that Johnny McKinstry is the new head coach of the club and he is likely to be seen at the dugout during Saif's 2018 Bangladesh Federation Cup quarterfinal match against Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club.[39] Eventually they lost the game by 2-1 goals and were out of the tournament with McKinstry watching from the stands as Assistant Coach Dennis Kitambi was placed in charge of the team on an interim basis. Later British coach Alex McCarthy joined as an assistant of McKinstry.[40] Another British Scott Bowen served as goalkeeping coach of the club during the season.

On 1 December 2018, Jamal Bhuyan's spectacular late free-kick earned Saif Sporting Club a hard-fought 1–0 win over Team BJMC in McKinstry's first match in charge and the inaugural match of 2018 Independence Cup.[41] Saif lost the quarter final against Dhaka Abahani by a solitary goal from Kervens Belfort.[42]

On 19 January 2019, Saif Sporting Club were off to a winning start in the Bangladesh Premier League 2018–19 season as they handed Rahmatganj MFS a 2–1 defeat at Rafiq Uddin Bhuiyan Stadium in Mymensingh.[43]

On 6 April 2019, Saif Sporting Club defeated NoFeL SC 1–0 in the Bangladesh Premier League 2018–19 with a goal from Park Seung-il.[44] This victory saw McKinstry become the Head Coach with the greatest number of competitive victories in the club's history, overtaking both Kavazović and Grant.

2019–20 season[]

On 3 August 2019, Saif appointed former Real Kashmir F.C. physio Shariq Ahmed as their new head of physiotherapist. On 25 September 2019, Swiss coach Silvio Coray joined the club as a new assistant coach.

On 7 November 2019, Saif Sporting Club have appointed Maldivian Mohamed Nizam as the new head coach ahead of the upcoming football season 2019–20.[45] On 2 January 2020, Mohamed Nizam was sacked from the club due to poor results in 2019–20 Bangladesh Federation Cup.[46]

On 5 January 2020, Drago Mamić named as the new head coach of the club.[47][48]

2020–21 season[]

On 27 October 2020, Paul Put named as the new head coach of the club.[49] On 6 January 2021, Saif reached their first-ever Federation Cup final, thrashing former finalist Chittagong Abahani by 3-0 goals.[50]

Shirt sponsors[]

Period Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor
2016–2017 Unknown SAIF Powertec Limited
2017–present SAIF Power Battery

Stadium[]

Rafiq Uddin Bhuiyan Stadium, Mymensingh is the new home venue of the club from 2018–19 season. The club used Banganbandhu National Stadium as their home venue in first two seasons of their football journey.

Current squad[]

Saif Sporting Club Limited squad for 2020–21 season.

As of 6 January 2022

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK Bangladesh BAN Pappu Hossain
2 DF Bangladesh BAN Nasirul Islam Nasir
3 DF Bangladesh BAN Saddam Anny
4 DF Bangladesh BAN Monjurur Rahman Manik
5 DF Bangladesh BAN Riyadul Hasan Rafi (Vice-captain)
6 MF Bangladesh BAN Jamal Bhuyan (Captain)
7 MF Bangladesh BAN Rahim Uddin
8 DF Rwanda RWA Emery Bayisenge
9 FW Nigeria NGA Mfon Udoh
10 FW Nigeria NGA Emeka Ogbugh
11 MF Bangladesh BAN Jamir Uddin
12 MF Bangladesh BAN Shajjad Hossain
15 MF Bangladesh BAN Nazmul Islam Rasel
17 FW Bangladesh BAN Foysal Ahmed Fahim
18 MF Bangladesh BAN Taj Uddin
18 FW Bangladesh BAN Kawser Ali Rabbi
No. Pos. Nation Player
20 FW Bangladesh BAN Maraz Hossain
21 DF Bangladesh BAN Imran Hasan Rimon
22 GK Bangladesh BAN Shanto Kumar Ray
26 DF Bangladesh BAN MD Ganto
27 GK Bangladesh BAN Monirul Islam
28 MF Bangladesh BAN MD Sayde
31 FW Bangladesh BAN Mitul Hossain
33 GK Bangladesh BAN Abid Ahmed
34 DF Bangladesh BAN Jabed Ahmed
41 DF Bangladesh BAN Tanvir Hossain
44 DF Bangladesh BAN Sabuz Hossain
55 DF Bangladesh BAN Sobug Chandra Das
77 MF Uzbekistan UZB Asror Gafurov
88 MF Bangladesh BAN Nayan Miah
99 MF Bangladesh BAN Nihat Jaman Ucchash
— MF Bangladesh BAN Samuel Elhaz Hudson

Coaching staff[]

Main article: List of Saif Sporting Club managers

As of 16 October 2021

Position Name
Head Coach Argentina Andrés Cruciani
Goalkeeping Coach Bangladesh Humayun Kabir
Physiotherapist India Shariq Ahmed
Bangladesh Debashees Nath
Analyst Bangladesh Abdullah Nasif Islam
Youth Coach Bangladesh Kamal Babu

Coaches[]

Head Coach's statistics[]

As of 9 February 2022

Coach From To P W D L GS GA %W
Serbia Nikola Kavazovic September 2016 March 2017 14 6 8 0 19 10 042.86
EnglandGhana Kim Grant April 2017 October 2017 13 6 5 2 17 8 046.15
England Ryan Northmore November 2017 January 2018 15 5 6 4 16 15 033.33
England Stewart Hall April 2018 November 2018 2 2 0 0 8 1 100.00
Northern Ireland Johnny McKinstry November 2018 September 2019 27 15 5 7 42 28 055.56
Maldives Mohamed Nizam October 2019 January 2020 3 1 1 1 4 4 033.33
Croatia Drago Mamić January 2020 September 2020 6 3 2 1 8 5 050.00
Belgium Paul Put October 2020 February 2021 16 10 1 5 30 19 062.50
Bangladesh Zulfiker Mahmud Mintu (Interim) February 2021 March 2021 2 2 0 0 8 1 100.00
England Stewart Hall March 2021 31 July 2021 6 2 1 3 12 13 033.33
Bangladesh Zulfiker Mahmud Mintu 2 August 2021 14 September 2021 6 5 0 1 13 8 083.33
Argentina Andrés Cruciani 16 October 2021 Present 11 7 2 2 20 12 063.64

P – Total of played matches W – Won matches D – Drawn matches L – Lost matches GS – Goal scored GA – Goals against
%W – Percentage of matches won

Youth team[]

For youth football development the club tie up with BKSP and selected twenty players for two years training.[51][52] On August 3, 2017, the club announced the name of Spanish coach as their U18 head coach.[53] On August 24, 2017, the club announced the name of local renowned coach as their U16 head coach.[54]

On 18 October 2017, Vargas and Co. clinched the title of One Day Football Festival Tournament in memory of Sheikh Russel, beating Kashaituli Samaj Kalyan Parishad in a penalty shoot-out by 4–3 goals.[55] In 2018 the U16 team qualified for the 2nd division from 3rd division.[56]

Honours[]

Domestic[]

Invitational[]

Performance in AFC competitions[]

Main article: Bangladeshi clubs in the AFC Cup

Notable players[]

Players below, had Senior international caps for their respective countries whilst playing for Saif SC.

References[]

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  4. ^ "Three teams inserted into C'ship League". The Daily Star. 11 September 2016. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
  5. ^ "BCL to start Oct 10". Daily Sun. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
  6. ^ "Saif Sporting Club off to a flying start". The Daily Star. 30 October 2016.
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  10. ^ ইস্টবেঙ্গল যুবদলকে হারাল সাইফ স্পোর্টিং. Prothom Alo (in Bengali).
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  34. ^ "Dennis Kitambi: AFC Leopards players' 'are disappointed' with my exit - Goal.com". Goal.com. Retrieved 12 November 2018.
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  37. ^ "Saif Sporting eye titles, Sheikh Russel consistency". Dhaka Tribune. 14 October 2018. Retrieved 12 November 2018.
  38. ^ বিজেএমসিকে হারিয়ে শুরু সাইফ স্পোর্টিংয়ের. Jago News 24 (in Bengali). Retrieved 12 November 2018.
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  40. ^ "Alex McCarthy - Adventures in the Bangladesh Top Tier". 9 January 2019.
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  47. ^ আবাহনীর সাবেক ক্রোয়াট কোচ এখন সাইফেc. Prothom Alo (in Bengali).
  48. ^ "Saif appoint Mamic, Mintu". Dhaka Tribune. 6 January 2020.
  49. ^ বিতর্কিত অতীত জেনেই নতুন কোচ আনছে সাইফ স্পোর্টিংc. Prothom Alo (in Bengali).
  50. ^ "Saif Sporting make first-ever final berth". UNB.
  51. ^ "Saif Global to tie up with BKSP". The Daily Star. 8 November 2016. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  52. ^ ২ বছরের জন্য সাইফ স্পোর্টিংয়ে বিকেএসপির ২০ ফুটবলার. The Daily Nayadiganta (in Bengali). Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  53. ^ এবার স্প্যানিশ কোচ আনল সাইফ স্পোর্টিং ক্লাব – খেলার খবর. The Daily Ittefaq (in Bengali).
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  56. ^ "Saif Sporting U-16 qualify for 2nd Division". Dhaka Tribune. 23 April 2018. Retrieved 12 November 2018.

External links[]

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