Sheikh Russel hold off Rahmatganj
A second-half strike from Mohammad Abdullah helped Sheikh Russel edge past a spirited Rahmatganj 1-0 in their Bangladesh Premier League encounter at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.
A second successive triumph put the former champions on the top of the 13-team table along with holders Bashundhara Kings and Abahani with six points each.
Rahmatganj stick to the one point they snatched from Saif SC in their previous match.
Although Rahmatganj were brave against Saif SC, they were chasing shadows against Sheikh Russel, who did not allow Rahmatganj to build up from the back with a high press.
The first half was delicately poised with either team trying to control the game but neither appeared to have any intent to create chances until Sheikh Russel changed their strategy and began playing long balls to expose the opposition defence.
Forwards Abdullah and Lopes Rodrigues tried their luck from distance but could not beat former national goalkeeper Rasel Mahmud Liton.
But the keeper was helpless against a powerful volley from in the 74th minute from Abdullah, who continued his streak after netting twice against Brothers Union in Sheikh Russel's last outing.
After conceding, Rahmatganj came close to leveling but luck was not with the Old Dhaka outfit as they saw a goal-bound drive from Crist Remi of Ivory Cost cleared from the line by a defender after goalkeeper Ashraful Islam Rana had been beaten.
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