Rahmatganj hold MSC

The JB Bangladesh Premier League continues to produce upsets as minnows Rahmatganj MFS held Mohammedan SC to a 1-1 draw at the MA Aziz Stadium in Chittagong yesterday.

Mohammedan needed the crucial 81st minute penalty conversion from Ismail Bangoura since Congolese striker Siyo Zunapio's 17th minute strike had kept the Old Dhaka outfit on the front foot of the game for quite awhile.

It was the third upset to come in the first three matches of the league after Sheikh Russel lost to newly-promoted Uttar Baridhara 1-0 while holders Sheikh Jamal DC managed a 1-1 draw against Arambagh KS on the opening day.

While the draw was yet another evidence that the difference in power between teams is shrinking, it also highlighted the sorry state of Mohammedan, who have failed to reach the knockout stages of both the Independence Cup and Federation Cup earlier this season. The last meeting between the two ended in a 2-2 during the group stages of the Federation Cup.

Rahmatganj entertained spectators with their spirited show and by creating a few scoring chances in the first half.

Zunapio came close to taking the lead for his side in the 10th minute after availing a missed pass from a Mohammedan defender but the Congolese striker failed to beat goalkeeper Mohammad Nehal one-on-one. Then Didarul Alam tried his luck from distance in the 14th minute, but Nehal disarmed the shot with a diving save.

However, Zunapio made amends for his earlier miss by turning in a cross from Abdullah with an acrobatic side-volley three minutes later.

At the other end, Bangoura and Aminur Rahman Sajib came close to levelling the margin, but Rahmatganj goalkeeper Rafiqur Rahman Masum was equal to the task on both occasions.   

Mohammedan eventually found a lifeline in the 81st minute when Rahmatganj captain Shawkat Russel handled the ball inside his own box, allowing Bangoura to take advantage and level the margin.

SPOILS SHARED BY ABAHANIS

The most eagerly awaited fixture of the league so far saw four-time champions Abahani held to a 1-1 draw by their port city counterparts in the second match of the day.

Promising winger Rubel Mia cancelled out a 35th minute header from Sunday Chizoba in the 76th minute to rescue big-budget Chittagong Abahani from making a frustrating start.

Abahani had come into the match on the back of their Federation Cup triumph, but had a score to settle as they were beaten by their Chittagong namesake in the final of the season's curtain-raising Independence Cup.

The Dhaka outfit dominated the first half and took the lead through Sunday. Chittagong Abahani coach Jozef Pavlic strengthened his attacking line-up in the second half and the move paid dividends as the port city side scored a deserved equaliser through Rubel.