MSC dominate Sheikh Russel

Mohammedan's Ghanaian recruit Osei Morison (L) takes off to celebrate his strike, his team's third and last, against Sheikh Russel at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday. Mohammedan won the match 3-1.Photo: STAR

Mohammedan SC returned to winning ways in the Grameenphone Bangladesh Premier League by beating the big-budget outfit of Sheikh Russel KC 3-1 at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.
Shariful Islam, Nigerian Augustine Chizoba and Ghanaian Osei Morison struck one goal apiece for Mohammedan before Zahid Hasan Emily pulled one back for Sheikh Russel in the keenly contest match under floodlights.
It was also sweet revenge for Mohammedan's 2-1 defeat to Sheikh Russel in the Federation Cup semifinal. The win is hardly a surprise as Mohammedan has dominated the new powerhouse Sheikh Russel in the professional football league with five wins from their 11 matches, while Sheikh Russel have won only two.
Smarting from a 1-0 reversal against Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club in their previous game, Mohammedan looked determined to turn the tide and took firm control of the midfield before taking a third-minute lead through winger Shariful Islam.
The diminutive right-winger, availing a square pass from Mezbabul Haque Manik, cleverly chipped the ball to the far post from the right side over goalkeeper Biplob Bhattacharjee to give the Black and Whites an unexpected lead.
The early lead served to increase Mohammedan's energy levels with five players working hard in the midfield. Sheikh Russel came close to levelling the score at the half-hour mark but Emily narrowly failed to connect a free-kick from Haitian midfielder Sony Norde.
After resumption, Sheikh Russel stepped up the attack but left-back Ashraf Mahmud Linkon saw his well-judged cross brilliantly gripped by Mohammedan goalkeeper Mamun Khan in the 46th minute. In the same minute, Mohammedan's promising winger Shohel Rana saw Sheikh Russel goalkeeper Biplob thwart a powerful shot at the cost of a corner.
Mohammedan doubled the lead in the 69th minute when Augustine shrugged off his marker Rezaul Karim to place the ball to the far post with a left-footer.
Guided by stand-in coach Jewel Rana in the absence of the ailing Saiful Bari Titu, Mohammedan took the game away from Sheikh Russel in the 80th minute when Morison took advantage of a defensive fumble by Abass Inusah to fire home from outside the box.
Sheikh Russel hit back to pull one goal back in the 84th minute through Emily but their effort was not enough to avert their first defeat in their second match, following a win over Team BJMC.
“We were confident of winning the game as Sheikh Russel is a team we beat 2-0 in last season's league,” Mohammedan striker Augustine said. “Actually we have implemented our strategy well on the pitch and if we can maintain this, we will be champions.”
“I think the players were over-confident after winning the Federation Cup and paid the price for it. Besides, there were some defence lapses in the match and Mohammedan took advantage of those mistakes,” said Sheikh Russel coach Maruful Haque.