Sk Jamal keep losing

Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club's dream of clinching a hattrick title of Bangladesh Premier League is fading fast as they suffered a 2-0 defeat, their third in a row, to lightweights Arambagh KS in the first match of the second phase at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

The Dhanmondi giants, who had fought admirably well to lead the 12-team table till the eighth round despite having a depleted side, recently flew in Stefan Hansson to consolidate the lead. But since the Swede's arrival, the two-time defending champions spectacularly failed to shine and have collected only one point from four outings. They have now 19 points in total from 12 games and are five points behind leaders Chittagong Abahani, who have played a game less.

Playing without suspended Emeka Darlington and Wedson Anselme, who has left the club after the first-phase, Sheikh Jamal clearly struggled while new Nigerian Mike Otojareri failed to impress and even missed a penalty in the dying moments of the match.

Arambagh KS, on the other hand, were impressive throughout the match and went close to taking the lead in the 20th minute when Thiago Tyson entered the box playing one-two with Sajidur Rahman, but the Brazilian's attempt was denied by Arambagh goalkeeper Mitul Hasan, who foiled three good attempts.

Arambagh broke the deadlock in the 41st minute when Sheikh Jamal defender Didarul Haque struck his own net while attempting to clear a feeble clearance from third-choice goalkeeper Sujan Hossain.

The charges of Saiful Bari Titu then doubled the lead 13 minutes after restart when Mohammad Abdullah beat Sujan with a placing shot after availing a defence-splitting pass from midfielder Yoko Samnick.

Sheikh Jamal brought three pairs of fresh legs to stop the rot, but those replacements virtually had no impact on the match. Otojareri then missed from the spot, allowing Arambagh to leave the field with their fourth win in 12 matches and 18 points in the bag.

SHEIKH RUSSEL FALL TO BARIDHARA AGAIN

Having lost by a single goal in the first phase, Sheikh Russel KC once again fell to Uttar Baridhara Club, losing 3-0 this time against the prompted club.

Baridhara's new Brazilian recruit Leonardo Lima struck a brace in the second half after Sabuj Biswas gave them a first-half lead an early lead. With their third win in 12 matches, Uttar Baridhara moved up to 11th position with nine points while Sheikh Russel slipped to the bottom of the table with eight points.