Mohammedan Sporting Club Limited were held to a 1-1 draw by Brothers Union in the Bangladesh Premier Football League on Tuesday at Bangabandhu National Stadium.
The Motijheel-based football giant managed their fifth draw in eight matches, winning only two and also went down to archrivals Abahani Limited.With 11 points in their bag, Mohammedan are fourth in the standings alongside Muktijoddha Sangsad, who have the same points tally having played a game less.
Brothers Union on the other hand registered their third consecutive draw and remained at sixth place with nine points from eight matches.
Mohammedan were unable to hold on to their lead which came in the 43rd minute courtesy a fantastic finish from skipper Zahid Hasan Ameli, who notched his fourth league goal and the strike against Brothers was the third consecutive match where he scored.
Ghanaian defender Issah Yousuf though levelled the scoreline for Brothers in the 77th minute from the penalty spot.
The match between the two old rivals failed to live upto expectations in front of a sparse crowd.
Mohammedan, who took to the field in a confident mood having dispatched Chittagong Abahani in their last match, had a lot of possession early on in the match but all their efforts were thwarted by the Brothers backline.
Brothers also struggled in midfield but their right winger Faisal put in a number of teasing crosses that were not utilised by the Brothers attackers.
Mohammedan put together their first attack of the game in the ninth minute through Egyptian forward Mostafa Seddik whose close-range header flew wide following a cross from winger Zahid Hossain.
Ameli though made no mistake two minutes before the interval as he received Towhidul Alam Sabuj’s lobbed pass with his chest and chipped it over the onrushing goalkeeper to find the back of the net.
After conceding the lead, Brothers increased their tempo and missed the chance to level the match in the 51st minute when Faisal broke into the penalty area only to see his angular shot parried away for a corner by Mohammedan custodian Titumir Titu.
Brothers finally equalised 13 minutes before the final whistle when Nigerian Kester Akon was brought down by Mohammedan defender Tapu Barman inside the penalty area. Ghanaian Yousuf converted the penalty to make it 1-1.
-With New Age input
