Mohammedan win; Sk Russel stumble out of the gate

A rejuvenated Mohammedan began their Bangladesh Premier League campaign with a 2-0 win over Muktijoddha Sangsad while title contenders Sheikh Russel were stunned 1-2 by Bangladesh Police FC in yesterday's other encounter.

After a barren first half at the Shaheed Dhirendranath Datta Stadium in Cumilla, the Black and Whites took the lead through Spanish forward Daniel Ricardo after he played a one-two with Malian forward Souleymane Diabate, getting the ball back inside the box and placing it to the right-hand side of goalkeeper Mehedi Hasan Sraban five minutes into the second half.

Diabate wrapped up the victory from the spot in the 86th minute after Shahriar Emon was brought down by a Muktijoddha Sangsad defender inside the box.

Meanwhile, at the Bashundhara Kings Arena, Independence Cup runners-up Sheikh Russel took a fourth-minute lead Mfon Sunday Udoh danced past a defender and entered the box from the right before unleashing a low drive into the far post.

But Bangladesh Police reacted quickly to that early setback, equalising five minutes later as Isa Faisal whipped one in and Jose Alexander of Panama rose high and headed home.

Edward Enrich of Venezuela then capitalised on a misplaced pass from centreback Yeasin Khan to fire home a low drive and Police FC defended their lead till the final whistle.