Arambagh stun Sheikh Jamal

Bottom-placed Arambagh pulled out the biggest surprise if the Bangladesh Premier League when they came from behind to hand a 3-1 defeat to second-placed Sheikh Jamal at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

Gambia's Pa Omar Jobe gave the three-time league champions the lead before Arambagh rallied for a maiden victory in 16 outings, thanks to the strikes from Uzbek forward Islomjon Abdukodirov, midfielder Umor Faruk and promising forward Nihat Jaman Ucchash.

Sheikh Jamal had an opportunity to reduce the gap with league leaders Bashundhara Kings when they took the field against Arambagh, who had been on the receving end of a 6-0 defeat in their previous league meeting, but now the gap stands at 11 points, with Kings on 43 points from 15 matches.

With a first defeat in 15 matches, Sheikh Jamal are behind Abahani despite having 32 points from 15 outings while Arambagh raised their tally to five points, equal with Brothers Union.

Despite the absence of hard-working Uzbek midfielder Jonov Otabek, Sheikh Jamal dominated Arambagh from the word go and took the lead in the 15th minute through a strike from Jobe, who chested down a Monir Hossain cross and volleyed home.

Jamal came close to doubling the lead in the 36th minute when Gambia's Soulaymane Sillah danced past Uzbek defender Ildar Mamatkazin Rustamovich on the left flank before poking the ball under the goalkeeper hands only to see his shot come off the post.

The scenario changed in stoppage time of the first half when Arambagh's Uzbek forward Abdukodirov found the back of net with a dipping free kick from 25 yards to equalise.

They went ahead after after resumption following a lucky break as Umor Faruk's close-range header from a Rahmat Mia long throw-in found its way into goal after deflecting off Sheikh Jamal defender Monir Hossain in the 54th minute.

Two minutes later, Adbukodirov ran down the right and cut back inside for Nihat Jamam Ucchash, who made no mistake in driving to the near post despite failing to keep his balance on a rain-soaked ground. Afterwards, Arambagh parked bus and held Sheikh Jamal at bay to deliver a big upset.

In the day's second match, Chattogram Abahani climbed to fourth place in the 13-team table with a 2-0 win over Sheikh Russel, thanks to strikes from Brazil's Nixon Guylherme and Rakib Hossain. Ctg Abahani are now equal on 28 points with Mohammedan but are ahead of the Black and Whites by virtue of goal difference. Sheikh Russel slipped to sixth place with 27 points from 15 matches.