Russel finish second

Sheikh Russel KC finished runners up in the Manyavar Bangladesh Premier League after ending their campaign with an emphatic 4-0 win over Rahmatganj MFS at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

The 2012-13 champions finished with 42 points, six behind champions Sheikh Jamal DC, who still a have a game in hand. Rahmatganj MFS, on the other hand, finished second from last, only above suspended Farashganj SC, with 14 points.

Mithun Chowdhury opened the scoring in the 41st minute with a solo effort before Cameroonian striker Paul Emile slammed a hattrick in the second half to give Sheikh Russel a rousing finish to their campaign. Emile opened his account with a header in the 57th minute and doubled his tally five minutes later by nodding in a cross from Mithun. Emile's third goal came in the 70th minute when he chipped the ball over Rahmatganj's substitute goalkeeper Ashim Das.

Meanwhile, perennial rivals Abahani and Mohammedan shared the spoils of a goalless draw in the second match of the day at the same venue.

With Sheikh Jamal DC and Sheikh Russel KC having already confirmed the championship and runners-up trophies, the high-voltage affair had turned into a battle of pride.

Pride was shared, but the two most loved sides in domestic football failed to enthral a few hundred spectators, thanks to an insipid performance where neither side yielded any clear cut chances to score.

The stalemate, nevertheless, brightened Mohammedan's chances to finish third as they have 38 points from 20 matches, with four-time champions Abahani, who will play their last game against Sheikh Jamal on August 20,  remaining three points behind.