MSC stun Sk Russel
Mohammedan handed a surprise 2-1 defeat to Sheikh Russel at the Sylhet Stadium in their Bangladesh Premier League fixture yesterday while Bangladesh Police edged Uttar Baridhara Club by the same scoreline in the battle of the two promoted clubs at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.
With the second win in third match, Mohammedan climbed to second position in the 13-team table with six points, one less than leaders Saif SC. Defending champions Bashundhara Kings and six-time champions Abahani have four points each from two outings.
It was the first defeat for Sheikh Russel, who were earlier held to draws by Brothers Union and Rahmatganj MFS while Bangladesh Police tasted their first win in their third match, leaving Uttar Baridhara winless in two matches.
At the Sylhet Stadium, Sheikh Russel were considered the stronger side on paper even though their performance in the two previous matches did not reflect their real strength. The mistakes by the defenders once again made Saiful Bari Titu's charges pay heavily in this match.
Mohammedan went ahead in the sixth minute from a counter-attack when Malian forward Souleymane Diabate received a long-ball and shrugged off his marker outside the box before stepping into the box and placing it to the left-hand side of Sheikh Russel goalkeeper Ashraful Islam Rana.
Sheikh Russel, however, hit back two minutes from the break but in an unimpressive way as Mohammad Abdullah took a weak free-kick which went into the box on two bounce before East Timorese forward Pedro Henrique fired home.
The game seemed to be heading for a draw but Sheikh Russel defenders again showed their sloppy work to lose the ball to Mohammedan and Shahed Hossain scored the winning goal after a poor clearance from Khalekurzzaman fell on his feet four minutes from time.
Police get their first win
At the BNS, Bangladesh Police came strongly against Uttar Baridhara Club following a morale-boosting 1-1 draw against champions Bashundhara Kings. Police dominated the first half and scored two goals in five minutes to ensure their maiden win in the top-flight football.
After missing the target narrowly in the 29th minute, Sidney Rivera gave Police the lead in the next minute after rising high to nod home a corner-kick before Bulgarian midfielder Laskov Antonio doubled the lead from a free-kick from the edge of the box in the 35th minute.
Baridhara, however, looked better in the second half and pulled one goal back in the 47th minute when Arif Hossain headed a Landing Darboe corner into the net. Afterwards, both sides created a few chances but none of them could take those home.