Nasirul sinks Sheikh Jamal

Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra moved off the bottom of the JB Bangladesh Premier League table after a 1-0 win over defending champions and title contenders Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

Nasirul Islam struck the winning goal in the 16th minute as the right-back, set up by Monaem Khan Raju, advanced into the danger zone to drive one low under the legs of goalkeeper Mazharul Islam Himel.

It was only the second victory for the team based in Bashundhara, who celebrated the 53rd birthday of Sheikh Russel, youngest son of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, by moving off the foot of the table and into 11th position with eight points.

Sheikh Jamal, on the other hand, suffered their second successive defeat and fell to fourth position, three behind league leaders Rahmatganj MFS, on 19 points from 11 outings.

Coming into this match on the back of a defeat against Mohammedan SC in the previous match, the charges of Stefan Hansson created a couple of scoring chances, but failed to capitalise. Rakib Sarker rattled the crossbar in the 32nd minute while Wedson Anselme saw his curling free-kick brilliantly kept out by Sheikh Russel goalkeeper Zianur Rahman, who was later replaced after sustaining a serious head injury.

UTTAR BARIDHARA BREAK LOSING STREAK

Uttar Baridhara Club put an end to their nine-match losing streak by inflicting a 1-0 defeat on Mohammedan SC in the first match of the day.

Uttar Baridhara  were in danger of equalling their worst losing streak after suffering nine straight defeats since winning the league's first match against Sheikh Russel, but they turned their fortunes in the last match of the first leg yesterday, thanks to an 84th minute penalty conversion by Khalekuzzaman Sabuj.

Mohammedan, having claimed their first win in the last match after coach Joshimuddin Joshi had left the club due to 'adverse environment in the camp', played aimless football throughout the match apart from initiating a few sporadic attacks. Even those attacks did not come to fruition, thanks to a couple of brilliant saves from Uttar Baridhara goalkeeper Mohammad Ershad, who denied Ismael Bangoura and Aminur Rahman Sajib in the second half.

Then Sabuj struck the crucial blow from the spot, blasting the top of the net, after being brought down by Yousuf Ali Khan and Biswanath Ghosh inside the danger zone.

The fourth defeat in 11 matches means Mohammedan finished the first leg in 10th position with nine points while Baridhara, despite their first win, dropped to the bottom after Sheikh Russel's win over Sheikh Jamal.