In an embarrassingly one-sided affair, last year's runners-up Russel -- who reportedly put behind their internal politics that disrupted their performance earlier in the league -- displayed a lively brand of football but had to remain satisfied with one point from the goalless draw.

After six matches, Russel stayed sixth in the ten-team table with eight points while Muktijoddha shared the second place with Brothers Union on 13.

Muktijoddha, who came to the sixth round clash with high hopes of taking lead in the table with a victory, did not threaten to score even for once before or after Hassan Al Mamun's sending-off decision in the 34th minute.

The national defender received his marching orders after he assaulted referee Tayab Hassan who had just shown Nigerian forward Paul Nwakwuchu a yellow card. Paul was fortunate to receive only a caution instead of a red card after retaliating against rival defender Jahirul, kicking the Russel player in his face after a mid-pitch foul.

Down to ten men, the Reds opted to do what they are infamous for -- defending doggedly despite having three foreigners and six national stars.

Russel could have gone ahead six minutes after start but Moroccan striker Majid mistimed a kick inside from the six-yard box after Tanvir did the spadework on the left wing. The skinny Moroccan then forced rival captain and national number one custodian Aminul to make two spectacular saves inside a minute.

First, Aminul went full-stretch to his right to keep out Majid's header on a long ball by Sharif in the 18th minute before pulling off an absolute blinder from the line with one hand when Majid nodded Tanvir's cross from handshaking distance.

Eyeing their third win, Russel began the second half with a relentless assault but a diving Aminul denied Tanvir's powerful shot in the 53rd minute. Two minutes later, Majid placed his shot from two yards over the bar and a hapless Aminul.

Muktijoddha survived a close call midway through the second half when Majid toe-poked a long ball by Maruf over Aminul's head but saw the drop-shot kiss the crossbar before going out. There was no respite and Majid provided his compatriot Rachid with the easiest chance but the striker drove the ball straight to Aminul in the 70th minute.

Having failed to convert a series of chances, coach Abu Yusuf should have tried some fresh legs in the last 20 minutes. But it was hard to understand why he did not bring in his top-scorer Yusuf Ali, who has already scored a hattrick including four goals in a record breaking 10-0 win over Youngmen's Club, especially after Rachid's lacklustre presence on the pitch.

Red card: Hassan Al Mamun (Muktijoddha)

Yellow cards: Rachid (Sheikh Russel) and Paul, Jeremiah (Muktijoddha).

TEAMS
RUSSEL KC: Biplab, Aminul, Deen Mohammed, Jahirul, Yusuf Khan, Maruf, Egir, Sharif, Tanvir, Rachid and Majid.

MUKTIJODDHA: Aminul, Harry, Rajani, Belal, Titu, Hassan Al Mamun, Biddyut (Pappu), Kanchan, Arman (Saiful), Jeremiah and Paul.

Referee: Tayab Hassan