Russel dump Reds

Muktijoddha's Nigerian defender Davis Majemu wins possession from Sheikh Russel striker Alfaz (R) during their Citycell B. League match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.Photo: STAR

Sheikh Russel added more woes to Muktijoddha's wounds when the leaders handed the Reds their fifth consecutive defeat in the Citycell B. League yesterday.
Alfaz Ahmed opened the scoring before Moroccan pair Touati Youness and Ighir Mohamed both joined the scoresheet in Russel's 3-0 victory at the Bangabandhu National Stadium after a goalless first half.
It was Wajed Gazi's side's fourth win in six games that maintained their position atop the table with 14 pints while Muktijoddha were rooted to the bottom of the table despite a change in the coaching staff.
Atiqur Rahman, who replaced Asghar Ali Nasir as Muktijoddha coach before this game, had no magic wand to turn a brand of unfit players into winners. And the Reds, who managed to held a superior unit for the first 45 minutes after crashing to a 7-0 loss to Mohammedan in their previous match, ran out of steam after the break.
Russel took some time to gather momentum and only Mobarak, who worked hard at the right side of the midfield, looked dangerous with two chances in the first half.
However, after a one-to-one with captain Youness, Mobarak's accurately cut low cross on the half hour was collected by an outrushing goalkeeper Nizam seconds before Alfaz was about to pounce.
Two minutes before halftime, Mobarak released a high centre but Nizam once again made a fine save, parrying Youness's header for a corner.
Russel showed their intention to go all out immediately after resumption and the pressure told in the 51st minute. Tanvir played a crossfield pass from the left for Mobarak who helped on Alfaz with a low centre. The veteran striker, under pressure from Nizam and a rival defender just two yards out of goal, lost possession but his second effort separated the two sides. It was league top scorer Alfaz's sixth goal.
Youness failed to control a high ball near the goal while Mobarak selfishly shot the ball wide before the Blues were 2-0 up in the 71st minute. This time, Ighir delayed a cross from the left, giving fellow countryman Youness the time to rush to the right position and shrug off a challenge by Biplab to nod home.
Youness and Alfaz then combined in a superb counter attack to help Ighir seal the victory eight minutes from time. Youness sent Alfaz racing down the right flank and the Russel No. 10 squared a long ball for Ighir to slam the ball into the back of the net from six yards.
Yellow cards: Bourdif (Russel) and Kanchan, Milon (Muktijoddha)
TEAMS
RUSSEL: Azam, Aminul, Zahirul, Bourdif, Parvez Babu, Mobarak, Ighir, Monwar, Tanvir (Prashanta), Alfaz and Youness.
MUKTIJODDHA: Nizam, Roni, Bipul (Bappi), Majemu, Biplab, Titu (Masud), Biddyut, Tajul, Sentu, Kanchan and Milon (Amin Rana).
Referee: Azad Rahman.