A riveting stalemate

Domestic football returned to a full-house in Mymensingh for the first time since the inaugural Super Cup final seven years ago and players from Sheikh Jamal DC and Chittagong Abahani did not disappoint the 15,000 gathered. Despite the match ending in a goalless draw, both sides put in scintillating performances in the JB Bangladesh Premier League at the Rafiq Uddin Bhuiyan Stadium yesterday to enthrall the crowd.

The day before the start of the first match of the Mymensingh phase, there was an inkling that there would be a poor turnout. However, enthusiastic spectators dispelled those notions as they flocked to watch the match between two of the country's top clubs, who came here for the first time in 12 years since the Nitol-Tata National Football League in 2004.

The environment in Mymensingh resembled a perfect atmosphere as raucous supporters of both sides feverishly beat drums and blew vuvzelas whenever either team went on the attack. The spectators even lavished praise on individual pieces of brilliance, such as when a player danced past an opponent or a defender made a tackle.

Both of the teams gave it their all on the pitch, coming close to breaking the deadlock numerous times until the final whistle. Unfortunately, this was the second time a match in the league failed to produce a goal since Mohammedan and Feni Soccer's match in Chittagong.

The spectators may not have seen any goals in the match, but they will surely be going back home with memories of individual brilliance, such as those from Sheikh Jamal captain and defender Yeasin Khan, substitute striker Wedson Anselme, Chittagong Abahani winger Mohammad Ibrahim and the port city side's goalkeeper Ashraful Islam Rana.

Sheikh Jamal seemed a more motivated side compared to their displays in the past three matches following a meeting with the club president, which seemingly injected more passion into the the Dhanmondi side, who clearly had the upper-hand throughout the match.

However, it was Chittagong Abahani goalkeeper Ashraful who kept his team in the fight after thwarting two efforts from Landing Darboe and Rakib Sarker in the 20th minute and having a brilliant match, while Sheikh Jamal's Yeasin was arguably the best performer on the pitch, making a goalline save and thwarting two dangerous efforts with some sublime defending.

After resumption, Wedson, who is suffering from an ankle injury, took to the field and captivated the spectators with his dashing runs and skills which in turn provided Darboe and Emeka Darlington two good scoring chances. However, Landing was denied by the woodwork while Emeka squandered a chance to tap into an open net after losing his balance.

With a second draw from four matches, Chittagong Abahani are now on top of the table with eight points, while holders Sheikh Jamal are in third with six points from four matches.