Sujan Perera laments BFL ground conditions

Fortis FC, a mid-table outfit on paper, surprisingly finished the first phase of the Bangladesh Football League (BFL) jointly top with Bashundhara Kings. While sound management played its part, Sri Lankan goalkeeper Sujan Perera was central to their rise, keeping seven clean sheets in nine matches in which they conceded just three times. Currently enjoying vacation back home, Perera spoke to The Daily Star's Anisur Rahman about Fortis' performance, the Bangladesh Football League, his own form, and the recent progress of the Bangladesh and Sri Lanka national teams. The excerpts are as follows:

The Daily Star (DS): Did you expect such a performance from Fortis in the BFL, ahead of the second phase expected to begin in early February?

Sujan Perera (SP): We didn't think about the long season and just went one match at a time. That was the message the coach always gave us.

DS: Personally, what has been the key to maintaining this level of performance at 33?

SP: I have a very good team, a very good defence and our coach always likes to keep it structured. I think that's why we are strong as one.

DS: How would you describe your maiden BFL experience?

SP: I didn't expect all the 10 teams to play similarly. Lower table teams also take points from top teams, so the league is tough and anything can happen anytime.

DS: Having played in the Sri Lanka and Maldives leagues, what improvement aspects would you suggest here?

SP: Away-game ground conditions [outside Fortis' home ground Kings Arena], I think. It's one thing that should change. If you can't play one or two touches on the pitch, it kills the tempo of the game. So, you will have to play more long balls which is not our identity.

DS: Did anything in Bangladesh stand out to you during your short stay?

SP: I see players really hardworking and hungry for the opportunity to play football. I see it in every single training.

DS: You witnessed the strong fan response during Bangladesh's Asian Cup qualifiers, particularly after Hamza Choudhury's inclusion. How do you assess Bangladesh's recent performances with foreign-based players?

SP: I think it's great Hamza brings so much energy to Bangladesh football. Foreign-based players bring more quality to the team. It will help the locally-based players to get more experience from them too.

DS: Bangladesh failed to reach the final round of the Asian Cup, finishing third in their group. Do you think that position fairly reflects their potential?

SP: I feel Bangladesh got one of the good groups to move through. The team were in a transformation period. It will take time.

DS: Sri Lanka have shown encouraging signs in Asian Cup qualifiers and friendlies. Are they becoming a competitive force in South Asia?

SP: We are trying to change slowly. We did well in qualifiers, but we could have done better in away games.

DS: How much impact have foreign-based players had on Sri Lanka's improvement?

SP: Fans also love to see big names come to represent the country. A new atmosphere is filled with hope, so it really helps to build something beautiful for our country's football culture.

DS: What is your view on the Bangladesh Football Federation's decision to allow BFL clubs to register five SAFF-region players as locals?

SP: As we share experience, the league will be more competitive too. The more we are together -- like all the other ASEAN teams – the more competitive and stronger we are as a region.