Kingsley downs 10-man BJMC
After being eliminated from the group stages of the season's first two tournaments, falling giants Mohammedan SC may have begun their resurgence with a 2-1 win over 10-man Team BJMC in their first match of the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.
Away at the Rafique Uddin Bhuiyan Stadium in Mymensingh, title contenders Sheikh Russel KC also got off to a winnings start by defeating the formidable Arambagh KS 1-0.
Mohammedan SC, who had to quit the Independence Cup with two consecutive draws against Sheikh Jamal DC and minnows Rahmatganj MFS, had last month replaced English coach Christopher Evans with local coach Ali Asgar Nasir. Yesterday's win was the Black and Whites' second overall in six matches of the season. It was also Mohammedan's fifth victory over Team BJMC in 14 league outings.
Mohammedan captain Kingsley Chigozie was the architect behind the triumph as the Nigerian marksman struck the winning goal in second half stoppage time after his first strike was cancelled by Uzbek striker Otabek.
“It is a good result for us as we made a winning start, we want to keep this momentum intact for the coming matches,” said Kingsley.
Coach Nasir elected to play three central defenders in the match with Japanese midfielder Uryu Nagata marshalling their once vulnerable backline.
The Black and Whites packed the centre field with five midfielders, lead by Landing Darboe, who came close to breaking the deadlock in the 23rd minute with a left-footer from inside the box but it careened miles off target before Abdullah Al Mamun drove wide on the six-yard box to frustrate Team BJMC two minutes later.
Mohammedan finally took the lead through a Kingsley header as the Gambian connected with a lob from Landing in the 34th minute but Uzbekistan striker Otabek equalled the margin with a freekick in first half stoppage time.
After resumption, both teams fought to get their noses in front but Team BJMC were forced onto their back foot when Cameroonian defender Baybeck Fombage was sent off in the 80th minute. Mohammedan took the advantage with both hands as they struck the winner in the dying moments of the game.
Substitute Kaisar Al Rabbi whipped in a perfect cross from the left-flank which Kingsley headed home three minutes into the five-minute added time.
In Mymensingh, Uzbekistan forward Azizov Alisher scored in the very third minute to ensure a 1-0 victory for Federation Cup and Independence Cup runners-up Sheikh Russel against Arambagh KS. This was Sheikh Russel's ninth victory over Arambagh KS in 17 league matches.