‘Kacchi Biryani has been my all-time favourite’

Oscar Bruzon had coached in Spain, India and Maldives before arriving in Bangladesh, where he guided his charges to over 100 games ever since the Spaniard took over in 2018, raising Bashundhara Kings in the club-to-beat status. The 44-year-old coach, who also worked as the head coach of Bangladesh national football team in their latest SAFF assignment last year, talked to The Daily Star's Ashfaq Ul Mushfiq and expressed his views on some of his Bangladesh experience. The excerpts of the interview are as follows:

The Daily Star (DS): When you got the offer to coach Bashundhara Kings, what were your initial impressions about Bangladesh and how has it evolved?

Oscar Bruzon (OB):  I came straight from a winning project at Maldives [New Radiant Sports Club] with the same goals and objectives as Bashundhara Kings. I immediately understood the drive and mission of my new club at both developmental and professional aspirations.

DS: As you've been working with a top team in Bangladesh, how do you see the culture of football here?

OB: All Bangladesh Premier League clubs this season are competitive. There is a clear evolution on the league level in the past years. And nowadays, we can find four to five clubs that could compete well in the international arena such as the AFC Cup. 

I feel we are progressing on the right track towards becoming, together with the ISL [Indian Super League], the best league in the region and having a bigger impact internationally.

DS: How do you see the current grassroots-level football scenario of Bangladesh??

OB: Grassroots is where most of the efforts should go from all of us to produce the best players in the future.

DS: Apart from football, your impression on Bangladesh's social culture?

OB: Bangladesh is a country where me and my wife have always felt most welcome. We are involved with the local and international community here at Bashundhara and also in some close-by areas of Dhaka.

DS: Tell us some of your memorable experiences in Bangladesh off your work.

OB: Playing tennis twice a week with some Bangladeshi friends is probably the most joyful moment out of work and home. We play good competitive matches amongst ourselves and those who lose- pay for the snacks and recovery drinks after the games.

DS: What's your favourite local food? Did any art or music from Bangladesh catch your attention?

OB: Regarding food, Kacchi Biryani has been my all-time favourite since I came to Bangladesh. And about art, my wife is an artist so she has her own circuits of action. She always says- there are a lot of talented people here in Bangladesh.