Sheikh Jamal notch dramatic win
Sheikh Jamal staged a superb second-half performance to hand title contenders Saif SC their second defeat in the Bangladesh Premier yesterday.
The thrilling encounter at the Bangabandhu National Stadium ended 3-2 to help three-time champions Sheikh Jamal reach four games unbeaten and climb to third place with 12 points from, three behind leaders Bashundhara Kings and one behind Sheikh Russell, although the top two have played a game more.
The Dhanmondi-based outfit took to the field With their confidence flying after a 6-0 hammering of Arambagh but, having adopted a high line, they struggled to match the pace of a youthful Saif SC and conceded twice in the first half.
Sheikh Jamal shifted tactics at the break, adopting a narrower shape, and pulled back two goals inside three second-half minutes before finding the winner in stoppage time.
With Shafiqul Islam Manik defending near the center line, the Saif SC forwards utilised their speed to break through on goal but could not cash in either due to the forwards misfiring or brave saves from goalkeeper Ziaur Rahman.
In the 22nd minute, neither defenders nor the goalkeeper could stop Faisal Hossain Fahim, who received a through ball from John Okoli, dribbled down the right past defender Mozzamel Hossain Nira and drove the ball to the top-right corner.
Okoli then doubled the margin in similar fashion in stoppage time of the first half.
This time Fahim played a defence-splitting through passs for Okoli, who ran into the box down the left before finishing clinically.
After resumption, Sheikh Jamal survived two scares before being deprived of a goal by Saif SC defender Rahmat Mia, who cleared a goalbound header from Shakil Ahmed in the 70th minute.
Five minutes later, Sheikh Jamal pulled one goal back through Solomon King, who headed home an Otabek free-kick before substitute Nurul Absar levelled the margin in the 77th minute after a powerful shot from Omar Jobe deflected into his path off the goalkeeper and crossbar.
With the match entering three minutes of stoppage time, Sheikh Jamal received an unexpected penalty after defender Riadul Hasan Rafi handled a powerful shot from Omar Jobe. Solomon King converted the spot kick two minutes into stoppage time.