East Londoners have done their homework on Southern League Premier Division outfit, but know they are huge underdogs again

Sporting Bengal United will create club history when they take part in the first qualifying round of the FA Cup for the first time on Saturday.

Imrul Gazi’s men make the trip to Kings Langley, of the Southern League Premier Division, knowing they will be underdogs once again.

But the east Londoners were not expected to get past either Ipswich Wanderers or Clapton in earlier rounds and have confidence.

Bengal’s coaching team have also been doing plenty of research on their FA Cup opponents and know exactly what to expect at Gaywood Park this weekend.

“We will be massive underdogs again. They’re a step three side on the non-league pyramid and we’re five, but I’ve done my homework on them,” said Gazi.

“My first-team coach Arosh Ali is from that area. He’s involved with MK Dons and spoke to a few people who have been at Kings Langley.

“We know what they are all about and they like to play a 3-5-2 formation and pass it out from the back.

“I’ve watched a few YouTube videos so we’re ready, but I really just want the boys to go and enjoy the occasion.”

Before this season Bengal had only reached the preliminary round of the FA Cup once since first entering the competition in 2005.

After making history, Gazi has urged his players to savour the moment on Saturday, but believe they can cause another upset.

He added: “You don’t know when we are going to reach this stage of the FA Cup again, it might take another 10 years.

“I really want the boys to enjoy it, there is no pressure on them from me, I just want them to do themselves proud.

“Speaking with the Bangladesh Football Association recently, who gave me the job, I said judge me after 10 games because we haven’t even started playing football yet.

“I’ve been pleasantly surprised with what we have done already and I’m confident in the coming weeks we will get ever better.”

Bengal are set to host London Bari in the Essex Senior League on Wednesday unless they need a replay against Langley.

First, however, is their big clash in the FA Cup and although it isn’t at Mile End, Gazi doesn’t mind the travelling this time.

He said: “It’s not a massive distance for us, we’ll get their quicker than some of our Essex Senior League matches.

“Getting to Southend or Stansted on a Tuesday would take us longer and it’s only Hertfordshire and junction 20 of the M25 so not too bad.

“We are looking forward to it and the money is so important for a club like us and hopefully more is to come.”