Defending champions Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club extended their lead at the top of the Bangladesh Premier League points table after a narrow 1-0 win over Sheikh Russell Krira Chakra at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Monday. With the match beginning with one-minute silence for Nepal earthquake victims, Gambian midfielder Landing Darboe struck the winning goal in the second half to earn Jamal their sixth win in as many games.
Later at the same venue, Abahani Limited edged past Brothers Union by 1-0 thanks to a 21-minute strike from their Hungarian forward Gabor Demjen.
Russell offered Jamal a huge challenge throughout the game but unfortunately they could not find the back of the net.
Russell, who have now just nine points from five matches, almost got the breakthrough in 26th minute when national striker Zahid Hasan Ameli saw his effort from six yards box following a low cross of Zahid Hossain hit the side post.
Jamal coach Maruful Haque was forced to make an early substitute replacing skipper Mamunul Islam, with Monaem Khan Raju in the 27th minute after the midfielder hurt his knee.
Jamal found the all important goal eleven minutes into the second half when midfielder Landing headed home on a corner of Jamal Bhuiyan.
Jamal missed a chance to extend the lead in the 67th minute when Raju’s 20-yard out attempt hit the woodwork.
Russell tried hard to return to the match by providing an all out attack.
In the 85th Russell forward Ameli’s header was saved by defender Linkon from the goal line.
Akeem Sayeed, Russell’s substitute Jamaican forward, unleashed a powerful volley just before the final minutes of the game only to see his attempt hit the woodwork.
Meanwhile four times champions Abahani moved to the second position of the table with a win over Brothers Union.
Demjen wasted a clear chance in the 12th minute when Komol’s cross found him as the Hungarian headed the ball away despite an empty net.
The Hungarian took only nine minutes to rectify his previous mistake when his left-footed shot from the edge of the box found the back of the net after a low cross of Emon Babu.
With this win, Abahani took their tally to 13 points from six matches while Brother remained stuck on 10 points from five matches.
-With New Age input