Famoussa powers Muktijoddha

A brace from Ivorian marksman Ballo Famoussa brought Muktijoddha Sangsad back to winning ways in the Bangladesh Premier League with a 2-0 win over newcomers NoFeL SC at the Shaheed Bulu Stadium in Noakhali yesterday.

The win was second in four matches for the All Reds, who had finished second from bottom last season. And their good start owes a lot to the form of Famoussa, who had scored the league's first hattrick against Sheikh Jamal, to lead the scorers' chart on five goals, followed by Sunday Chizoba, Zahid Hossain and Nabib Newaj Jibon on three goals each.

“We prepared our game plan around Famoussa and we also give importance to him in practice sessions. He is really good in the attacking third and we are keeping our hopes on him. If Famoussa plays well, Muktijoddha Sangsad get results,” said the club's coach Abdul Kayum Sentu over phone.   

Smarting from a 2-0 defeat against defending champions Abahani, Muktijoddha Sangsad did not waste much time to break the deadlock as Famoussa headed home a free-kick from Japanese midfielder Yousuke Kato in the very third minute.

On an uneven pitch, both sides struggled to control the ball resulting in the absence of build-up football, but NoFeL SC came close to levelling the margin in the eighth minute, only to be denied by Muktijoddha Sangsad goalkeeper Nahid Uddin.

Muktioddha Sangsad doubled the lead in the 61st minute as Kato ran down the left flank to cut the ball back for Mohammad Sohel, who drove inside the box and Famoussa tapped in from close range.

NoFeL SC could have reduced the margin in the 90th minute had a header from Eleta Benjamin not come off the post. It was the third straight defeat for the club from the South Eastern part of the country.