Al Amin wants to put troubled past behind, become Bangladesh’s genuine No.9
Forward Al Amin feared that his journey to fulfil his father's dreams by becoming a famous sportsperson like Bangladesh football team captain Jamal Bhuyan and Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan were over after his career got derailed in an online betting, fixing and match manipulation scandal.
Al Amin was once banned for three years which was later reduce to a year by the BFF -- from September 2021 to September 2022 -- for being involved in online betting and spot-fixing as an Arambagh KS footballer during the 2020-21 season.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. The lad from Nilphamari was under family pressure to do something else with his life and quite football. However, Shams-Ul-Huda Football Academy, the place where he was groomed as a footballer, and a few other people came forward to rehabilitate him.
Al Amin, now playing for Bangladesh Police FC, has stole the spotlight with his scoring ability, netting seven goals to end up as the second highest scorer of the first-phase of Bangladesh Premier League.
The forward has been rewarded for his performance with a call-up to the 38-member preliminary Bangladesh squad for their Asian Cup Qualifiers against India.
"I had to endure many insults by from the locals in Nilphamari after being suspended. I quietly shed tears. My mother once asked me to leave football and do something else for bread and butter though my father wanted to see me become a famous sportsperson like Jamal Bhuiyan and cricketer Shakib Al Hasan," Al Amin told The Daily Star on Monday, hours after receiving the call up.
"Still, there is a long way to go to before I can become like them. I have just been drafted in the preliminary squad of the national football team. Every footballer dreams of representing the national team and I am also the same," said the 21-year-old.
"I have proved myself in the club but I am yet to prove myself in the national football team. It is an opportunity for me and I want to grab it with both hands by giving my best in the training camp."
Al Amin believes there is no real number nine in the team right now and he wants to fill up that vacuum.
"Everyone knows we lack of a proper number nine. I want to be part of the squad as a genuine number nine," Al Amin said. "I know there are a lot of good players in my position but I believe I am the best in this position and want to prove it by giving my best."
About his performance in the first phase of the league, Al Amin said, "I learned a lot from coach Kazi Maruf, who taught me how to score and how to keep cool to net goals. I assisted in scoring goals twice last season for Sheikh Jamal, but I was struggling to get goals for Bangladesh Police in practice matches. Then, head coach Mahbubul Haque Jewel sir worked separately with me and made me hungry for goals."
When asked about the established forwards in the national team, Al Amin said, "Every forward is confident about himself. I also believe in myself as the best forward but I know I have to prove myself and I am ready to do it."
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