pset was the order of the day as JB Group Bangladesh Premier League got underway in Chittagong on Sunday with Arambagh Krira Sangha holding defending champions Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club to 1-1 draw and Uttar Baridhara posting a 1-0 win over Sheikh Russell KC. Mohammad Abdullah, the in-form winger, struck the equaliser in the stoppage time to give Arambagh an important point after Nigerian forward Emeka Darlington had put Jamal ahead in the 14th minute MA Aziz Stadium.
Arambagh, the runners-up of the Federation Cup, recovered from a sluggish start to present Jamal with some scare after a shock win against the three-time league holders in the Federation Cup quarter-final.
Jamal, on the other hand, were impressive at the start and took only 14 minutes to take the lead as Emeka Darlington’s powerful strike entered the post after hitting the crosspiece.
Arambagh initiated their first real attack in the 48th minute when Abdullah took a powerful strike from the edge of the box but Jamal keeper Mazharul Islam Hemel was there to save the effort brilliantly.
Arambagh defender Mansur Amin tried his luck with a 25-yard out shot in the 63rd minute that hit the side post after slipping off Hemel’s gloves.
When the holders were few minutes away from a winning start, Abdullah rescued a point for Motijheel outfits with a deserving strike in the added time.
Abdullah, who was picked for the preliminary squad of the national team for his brilliant display in the Federation Cup, saw his right-footed volley from just outside the six-yard box found the back of the net following a superb cross of Mansur Amin from the right flank.
Both Jamal and Arambagh were reduced to 10-men moments before the final whistle when Jamal’s scorer Emeka showed a marching order after elbowing Arambagh’s Ghanaian defender Issah Yussif who later saw the second yellow card to leave the field.
Meanwhile, Khalekuzzaman Sabuz struck from the spot to help promoted side Uttar Baridhara celebrate an unexpected 1-0 victory against last season runners-up Russell in the day’s second match.
After a barren first half with both sides failed to take control of the field, Baridhara got the all important strike in the hour mark when Russell defender Asaduzzaman Bablu handed down a ball inside the box that forced referee blowing the whistle for penalty. Sabuz made no mistake to convert from the spot.
RESULT
Sk. Jamal 1 (Emeka Darlington 14) v Arambagh K.S 1 (Mohammad Abdullah 90+)
Uttar Baridhara 1 (Khalekuzaman Sabuz 60) v Sk. Russell KC 0
-With New Age input
