MSC,Sk Russel notch victories
Mohammedan Sporting Club and Sheikh Russel KC registered victories in their Bangladesh Premier League fixtures yesterday while Muktijoddha Sangsad were held to a goalless draw by Rahmatganj MFS.
Mohammedan, who came into the match against Chittagong Abahani in 11th position, beat the visitors 2-0 at the Bangabandhu National Stadium, thanks to second-half goals from Uryu Nagata and Souleymane Diabate.
After a barren first half on a rain-soaked pitch, Mohammedan took the lead in the 66th minute through a spot-kick, converted by Japanese midfielder Uryu Nagata after Yousuf Sifat was brought down inside the box.
Six minutes later, Mohammedan’s three African recruits combined to double their lead, with Diabate tapping home a cleverly worked free-kick.
The win took Mohammedan to ninth position with 17 points from 18 matches while Chittagong Abahani remained in sixth position with 22 points from 19 matches. It was the first win for the beleaguered Black and Whites in five matches.
Away at the Sylhet District Stadium, one-time champions Sheikh Russel edged three-time champions Sheikh Jamal 2-1 to move into third position in the 13-team table. The win ended a two-match losing streak for Saiful Bari’s charges as they moved to 39 points from 18 matches, leapfrogging Saif SC who have 37 points from same number of matches.
The hosts took the lead in the 23rd minute when Biplu Ahmed took a speculative shot at goal from 35 yards out, which Sheikh Jamal defender David Tetteh tried to clear but his header ended up at the corner of his own net, despite a desperate dive from goalkeeper Mohammad Nayeem.
Sheikh Jamal equalised two minutes later when Ali Hossain’s throw-in hit the hand of Sheikh Russel forward Azizov Alisher inside the box, with captain Solomon King Kanform dispatching the spot-kick comfortably.
The lead lasted only 15 minutes, though, courtesy of a superb floating effort from outside the box by Sheikh Russel midfielder Khalekurzaman.
The defeat left Sheikh Jamal in ninth position with 21 points from 19 matches. It was the second straight defeat for Shafiqul Islam Manik’ charges.
Meanwhile, the game at the Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni Stadium between Muktijoddha Sangsad and visitors Rahmatganj MFS ended goalless. The result saw Muktijoddha move to 18 points from 18 matches while the Old Dhaka outfit remained just above the danger zone, in 11th position, with 16 points from 19 matches.
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