Sheikh Jamal down NoFeL

National discard Shakhawat Hossain Rony scored in the second half to power three-time champions Sheikh Jamal DC to a 2-1 win over newcomers NoFeL Sporting Club in a Walton Federation Cup encounter at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

This win in the season's first match means Sheikh Jamal have a great opportunity to qualify for the quarterfinals after newcomers Bashundhara Kings imposed a heavy defeat on Mohammedan SC in the first match of the group. Both Sheikh Jamal and Bashundhara Kings have three points to top Group D.

Rony came in place of Didarul Islam at the start of the second half and justified the decision of coach Joseph Afusi with a clinical finish from inside the box on the hour-mark after the first half ended 1-1.

“It is always a good feeling for a striker when they score a goal. The goal also helps a striker get confident. We have an important match against Bashundara Kings on November 1 and I think this confidence will help me in the next match if I am given another chance to play,” said Rony.

In the closely-fought encounter, Sheikh Jamal took the lead in the second minute of stoppage-time of the first half through last season's joint top-scorer Solomon King, who placed a square-pass from Sainey Bojan from outside the danger zone.

However, the lead lasted only two minutes as NoFeL SC hit back four minutes into the added on time through a strike from Ismail Bangoura.