Minnows stun favourites

Last edition's runners-up Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra made a terrible start to the JB Bangladesh Premier League as they lost on the opening day to newly-promoted Uttar Baridhara Club by a solitary goal at the MA Aziz Stadium in Chittagong yesterday.

Big-budget Sheikh Russel, tipped as one of the favourites for the title, conceded the only goal of the game when Khalekuzzaman Sabuj struck from the spot for Baridhara in the 60th minute.

That defeat was preceded by another upset as defending champions Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club were held to a 1-1 draw by the season's surprise package Arambagh KS.

Mohammad Abdullah's equaliser deep into stoppage time cancelled out a 14th minute strike from Emeka Darlington as the Motijheel outfit came out with a well deserved draw.

The defending champions have endured a rough season thus far as they were eliminated before the semifinals of both the Independence Cup and the Federation Cup. They are also without a permanent coach since the termination of Shafiqul Islam Manik last week and the draw yesterday will surely come as a blow to their hopes of claiming a hattrick of titles.

Sheikh Jamal took the field with only one out and out striker in Emeka Darlington due to the absence of Haitian goal-machine Wedson Anselme. The one-man frontline weakened Sheikh Jamal's attacks significantly. However, they dominated the first half by establishing control in midfield and claimed the lead before their excessively defensive approach in the second half took its toll.  

Having survived two scares earlier, Sheikh Jamal built their game down the left flank, from which came the opening goal in the 14th minute.

Nigerian marksman Emeka, assisted by Landing Darboe on the left flank, played a one-two with Rakib Sarker to enter the box and then drive a powerful shot which kissed the crossbar on its way into the back of Arambagh's net.

The Dhanmondi giants were close to doubling their lead during the 42nd minute when Emeka whipped in a well-judged cross from the right flank for Landing, allowing the Gambian to cut it back to Shihab, but the opportunity was wasted as his low strike was cleared off the goalline. Later, Defender Kesto Kumar saw his curling corner collide with the crossbar during the first half's stoppage time.

After resumption, the scenario changed. Arambagh, who had come from two goals down to beat the same opposition in the Federation Cup quarterfinal last month, pressed hard for the equaliser.

Availing a cutback from Kester Akon, Abdullah shot narrowly wide of the target in the 56th minute, before Mansur Amin rattled the crossbar seven minutes later.

In an attempt to thwart the wave of attacks, Sheikh Jamal's stand-in coach Mosharraf Hossain Badal strengthened his backline by sending on two defenders but there was no denying Abdullah from striking the late equaliser.

The new face of the national team's preliminary squad was left unmarked inside the box as he side-volleyed a cross from Abu Sufian Sufil home for the all important equaliser.

Later on referee Jalaluddin was forced to send off Sheikh Jamal's Emeka and Arambagh's Issa Yusuf following a brawl.