Michael Oniya, the Nigerian striker who scored Brothers Union's equaliser against Chittagong Mohammedan in yesterday's B. League, skips a sliding tackle by the port city side's centre-back Shawkat at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.Photo: STAR

A topsy-turvy first round of the Citycell B. League ended yesterday with Brothers Union, another Dhaka giants, failing to make most of their home match when they drew 1-1 with Chittagong Mohammedan.
Defending champions Abahani and last year's third Muktijoddha ended up losers, runners-up Mohammedan managed to salvage one point as four of the last year's top five -- Sheikh Russel being the only exception -- got off to poor starts in the eventful opening round.
Three teams are level on three points but Khulna Abahani lead the table by virtue of better goal difference over Sheikh Russel and Rahmatganj.
Brothers, however, not only dropped points but also lost their impressive fullback Atiqur Rahman Mishu who was sent off seven minutes from time a rather lacklustre fifth game of the league at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.
Booked early into the first half, the leftback who was in attacking mood throughout the game, dived inside the rival penalty area under pressure from two Mohammedan defenders. He claimed for a penalty but referee Tayeb Hasan, who was very close to the scene, immediately showed the Brothers back a second yellow card to ensure the marching order.
The decision was not only protested by the Oranges but also Mishu, who left the ground after many minutes and broke the rules by sitting at the side bench till the final whistle as the fourth official failed to make the player leave.
Earlier, Chittagong Mohammedan rushed early blood before their Guinean forward Raphael Sagno opened the scoring in the 34th minute. Nigerian striker Michael Oniya's spectacular goal cancelled the lead within ten minutes to give Wasim Iqbal's side one point.
Visiting skipper Kaiser, who limped out of the ground shortly before the break, created the first chance in the 19th minute when his powerful drive came out off Brothers keeper Shakil's grip.
A lurking Raphael was a simple touch away from scoring on rebound but Brothers captain Shuvra made a timely clearance.
Raphael, however, did not have to wait long to score on his B. League debut when the tall striker coolly side-footed in a waist-high ball after overlapping defender Pradip Barua chipped a long cross above the rival backline.
Camara, the other Guinean in the port city side who had a memorable performance in the inaugural B. League last season, then set up Ridon with a chance in the 42nd minute but the latter finished wide from the top of the box.
The Gopibagh outfit, with three average foreign recruits -- two from Nigeria and one from Ghana -- in the side, depended mostly on the flanks and Arup was inspirational with his darting runs. His crosses put tremendous pressure on the rival goal and Mishu picked up one only to see his low shot parried by Mamun Khan's legwork under the bar.
The resulting corner produced Brothers' equaliser after Shakil's across-the-pitch picked up Arup at the right side of the box. The fullback attempted a diving header which went low to Oniya, waiting with his back towards the goal, who stunningly back-heeled the ball into the roof of the net.
The only real chance of the second half fell to Raphael after Camara and Liberian Anthony Doe combined to set a chance in the 64th minute but Raphael's powerful volley was shielded by Nigerian defender Divine.
"We came here to win here but I am not unhappy after the draw against a strong side," said Chittagong Mohammedan manager Mohammed Yusuf.
"We were under pressure because our coach Nazrul Islam could not make the trip due to illness. But the players have done their job," he added.
"It was a bad decision," said Brothers coach Wasim who was unhappy about Mishu's red card.
"I had players like Masud Rana, Matiur Munna and goalkeeper Zia injured though Munna played with a bandage on his head. That's why I had to pick up three foreigners," he said when asked why he ignored players like Abdullah Parvez, Tapu and Zahid in the starting lineup.
Red card: Mishu (Brothers)
Yellow cards: Ariful (Brothers) and Pradip, Lincoln, Camara, Sharif (Chittagong Mohammedan)
TEAMS
BROTHERS: MN Shakil, Ariful, Ashraful, Shuvra, Arup, Divine, Mishu, Matiur Munna (Manju), Shakil (Parvez), Henry (Zahid) and Oniya.
CTG MOHAMMEDAN: Mamun, Sharif, Dhiman, Shawkat, Pradip, Lincoln (Sanwar), Daulat, Kaiser (Doe), Camara, Raphael (Chowmrin) and Ridon.