Cordoba stars in Saif’s thrilling win

A tremendous performance by Colombian midfielder Deiner Cordoba helped Saif Sporting Club to a 3-2 win over Sheikh Jamal DC in their Bangladesh Premier League encounter at the Rafique Uddin Bhuiyan Stadium in Mymensingh yesterday.

The 27-year-old midfielder first set up Alessandro Celin and then scored the team’s second goal before helping substitute Rahim Uddin to net the winning goal, helping his side come out of a spate of draws.

With 12th win in 20 matches, Saif SC leapfrogged to third position in the 13-team table with 41 points while Sheikh Jamal remained at sixth position with 24 points from 21 matches.

Saif SC, who never lost to three-time champions Sheikh Jamal since their admission into the professional football league last edition, went ahead in the third minute through a strike from Celin. Cordoba then snatched the ball from a Sheikh Jamal defender and played one-two with Celin before doubling the lead on the half-hour mark.

Sheikh Jamal scored twice within three second-half minutes, with national discard Shakhawat Hossain Rony scoring both goals. Availing a long ball, Rony raced into the box and finished off the move with a left-footer in the 56th minute before finishing with an angular shot in the 58th minute for the second goal.   

But Cordoba ensured Saif’s victory, setting up  Rahim for the third goal in the 73rd minute.