First MSC scalp for Arambagh
Arambagh KS posted their maiden win over Mohammedan SC in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) by handing the Black and Whites a massive 4-1 defeat at the Rafique Uddin Bhuiyan Stadium in Mymensingh yesterday.
National discard winger Zahid Hossain struck a hattrick to provide Arambagh with reason to celebrate as the side had never before beaten their neighbouring giants in any of their previous 16 meetings since the introduction of the professional football league in 2008. Zahid is the second player to score a hattrick in the ongoing league after Muktijoddha Sangsad's Ballo Fomousa of Ivory Coast.
Following poor performances in the Federation Cup and Independence Cup, Mohammedan began their campaign in this edition of the BPL with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Team BJMC. However, they succumbed to defeat again in their second fixture of the tournament against a spirited Arambagh, who came into the match on the back of a 1-0 defeat to Sheikh Russel KC.
Zahid, who last played for the national team in the 2016 Bangabandhu Gold Cup, opened Arambagh's account in the 12th minute by tapping in a square pass from Paul Emil. Mohammedan bounced back strong after resumption with a powerful strike from Kaiser Al Rabbi in the 58th minute.
The equaliser could have helped Mohammedan get hold of the match but it was again Zahid who helped Maruful Haque's side restore their lead with a feeble free-kick which embraced the back of the near post after a single bounce in the 66th minute. Chinedu Mathew then made it 3-1 in the 76th minute with a nice left-footed drive from inside the box.
30-year-old Zahid then wrapped up the victory as he completed his hattrick on a counter attack. Captain Rabiul Hasan released a well-judged chip which Zahid collected and drove past Mohammedan's goalkeeper four minutes from time.
Later yesterday, at the Bangabandhu National Stadium, defender Ashraful Karim headed into own net to help Sheikh Russel KC notch a come-from-behind 3-2 victory over Brothers Union. This was the first time in two seasons that Sheikh Russel have beaten the side.
Brothers got off to a fine start in their opening match, getting their noses in front by the 11th minute with Brazilian Lima Leonardo converting from spot. However, the lead lasted only one minute with Nigerian hitman Raphael Odoyin levelling the margin with a close-range header.
Sheikh Russel got ahead again with an angular shot from Raphael in the 20th minute but Brothers hit back to draw level in 37th minute through a placed shot from Leonardo. As the match was heading towards a draw, Brothers defender Ashraful headed into his own net while attempting to clear a free-kick from Brazilian Alex Rafael Antonio in the 77th minute.
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