Muktis back on top

Teammates rush to congratulate Sunday Chizoba (C) after the Muktijoddha Sangsad striker scored the all-important goal that gave them victory over Sheikh Russell KC in their Bangladesh League match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday. Photo: BFFOnline

A 78th minute strike from Nigerian striker Sunday Chizoba gave 10-man Muktijoddha Sangsad a 1-0 victory over Sheikh Russel KC at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday, taking the Reds back to the top of the Grameenphone Bangladesh League. The early pace-setters were reduced to ten men in the 74th minute, but instead of retrenching, they came out all guns blazing and four minutes later sealed the victory, thanks to Sunday's fifth goal of the league, which took him to the solo lead in the goalscorer's chart.
With the win, their fifth in seven matches, Muktijoddhha put some breathing space at the top as they have gone to 16 points, two clear of Abahani, who however have a game in hand and take on Sheikh Jamal in the next match on Friday.
On the other hand, Sheikh Russel's early promise seems to be fizzling out, as they have now lost three matches in a row and remain in tied third position along Team BJMC and Brothers Union on eight points.
Muktijoddha went out with an attacking formation of three frontmen -- Sunday, Zahid Hasan Emily and Mithun Chowdhury -- but it hardly made an impression on the Sheikh Russel defence.
On the contrary, they came under the cosh as Sheikh Russel striker Alamu Bukola rattled the woodwork with a curling effort in the sixth minute of the match. The woodwork was called into action again at the other end though, when Muktijoddha midfielder Mamunul Islam hit the crossbar from a corner a minute before the break.
After resumption, Muktijoddha coach Shafiqul Islam took off striker Emily and brought on Alamgir Rana in the midfield which apparently gave them more control in the midfield, providing a launchpad for attacks. And they came close to taking the lead in the 49th minute, but the woodwork denied the Reds again as Mithun's header came off the far post. Sheikh Russel goalkeeper Biplob Bhattarcharjee too proved vital as he made two brilliant saves to deny Muktijoddha the lead.
Muktijoddha were dealt a blow in the 74th minute when defender Rezaul Karim was given the marching orders for a second bookable offence, but that hardly changed their approach as they continued in that attacking vein.
In the 77th minute, Mamunul missed the easiest opportunity as he sent the ball wide of the target from inside the six-yard box but he redeemed himself a minute later as he turned the provider for the decisive goal. Mamun put a defence-splitting through ball for Sunday, who raced past the advancing goalkeeper before placing the ball at the back of the Sheikh Russel net to seal the fate of the match.
“Despite being reduced to 10 men, we played according to our initial plan and the decisive goal was the outcome of our efforts,” said Muktijoddha coach Shafiqul Islam adding that the way his charges played in the second half proved decisive.
His counterpart Maruful Haque expressed his disappointment at the losing streak and has seemingly thrown in the towel already.
“In spite of all the motivational talk from the team management, the players are failing to deliver on the pitch because they don't believe that they can win the title,” said Maruf.