Dull draw keeps Muktis top

Muktijoddha striker Mithun Chowdhury (R) tries to outwit Mohammadan defender Hasan Al Mamun during their Bangladesh Premier League encounter at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.Photo: STAR

Leaders Muktijoddha Sangsad got a jolt in the Bangladesh Premier League when they were held to a goalless draw against a depleted Mohammedan in their fifth encounter at the Bangaandhu National Stadium yesterday.
Despite dropping points for the first time, Muktijoddha are still on top of the 11-team table with 13 points from five outings while Mohammedan stuck glued on sixth with five points from four outings.
The All Reds came into the game with a hundred percent success rate and had good chances to consolidate their lead against struggling Mohammedan who suffered a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Sheikh Russel KC. But star-studded Muktijoddha Sangsad missed the opportunity and was lucky not to lose all three points.
The Black and Whites brought three changes for yesterday's game and fielded five defenders. It was a tactical change that allowed them to escape with a single point from the game
But Mohammedan almost took the lead in the 13th minute through a long-range shot from Nigerian midfielder Edozue Kenneth Ochendo but Muktijoddha goalkeeper Maksudur Rahman Mustak, standing on edge of the six-yard box, managed to save it at the cost of corner.
Muktijoddha dominated the rest of the game and were unlucky not to take the lead in the early exchanges when Firoz Mahmud Titu rattled the post. Brazilian defender Rafael De Androde also his close range header zip over the top of the bar.
The Muktis best chance though came on the half-hour mark when both Zahid Hasan Emily and Sunday Chizoba reacted too late to an excellent cutback from the left byline.
After the resumption, coach Emeka Ezeugo strengthened Mohammedan's attacking line-up sending on young striker Wahed Ahmed in place of defender Rajani but again it was Muktijoddha who were unlucky as they had a goal from Mamunul Islam ruled out for off-side.
The decision incensed Muktijoddha manager Abdus Sattar who was seen seemingly assaulting the assistant referee. The match had to be halted for a few minutes before the rest of the coaching staff intervened to calm down Sattar.
And Mohammedan nearly added salt to that wound when they snatched on a mistake by Muktijoddha defender Dami Emmanuel but Wahed struck the ball wide with the goal begging.