Title contenders Sheikh Russel KC toppled Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club to grab the solo lead in the Grameenphone Bangladesh Premier League with a 3-1 win over Feni Soccer Club at the Shaheed Salam Stadium in Feni yesterday.
Moroccan midfielder Tareq El Janaby put Sheikh Russel ahead before Sajib levelled the margin but winger Zahid Hossain and midfielder Mamunul Islam struck one goal each either side of he break to ensure Sheikh Russel’s sixth win in eight matches. The win raised their tally to 19 points, two more than Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club, who play their eighth match today against Brothers Union.
On the other hand, a seventh defeat in eight matches confined Feni Soccer to the bottom of the nine-team table with only three points.
Shrugging off the cautious display of the goalless last match against Sheikh Jamal, Sheikh Russel put on a display of attacking football and took the lead in the sixth minute when Tareq found the back of the net with a free-kick from the edge of the box.
Despite missing three regular players due to injury and suspension, Feni Soccer hit back and cancelled the lead in the 26th minute when Abu Sufian Zahid whipped in a cross from the left for Aminur Rahman Sajib, who headed past Sheikh Russel goalkeeper Biplob Bhattacharjee.
But the lead lasted 19 minutes as Zahid Hossain found the back of the net with a neat chip. Zahid, who returned to the fold after missing the match against Sheikh Jamal, broke the off-side trap and availed an aerial through ball from Mamunul Islam before sending it over advancing Feni goalkeeper Al Amin to double the lead.
With three minutes left for the game, Mamunul Islam struck the final blow by stabbing the ball home after two efforts from Zahid Hasan Emily and Mithun Chowdhury were denied by Al Amin.
Sheikh Russel could have left the field with a bigger win had three shots — two from Tareq and one from Rezaul Karim ?” not come off the crosspiece.
“It is pleasing to end the first leg on top position even though our nearest rivals Sheikh Jamal and Abahani have a match in their hands,” Sheikh Russel coach Maruful Haq said over the phone.
But the coach was worried about refereeing in crucial second leg matches as he believes a couple of groups might be active against them.
Feni Soccer coach Mahmudul Haque Liton said that his relatively immature players played comparatively well against Sheikh Russel but could not overcome their experience and quality.
Liton however promised to put on better show in the second leg as they are all set to include two to three foreign recruits.
-With The Daily Star input
