An Emadul Haque Monu double helped Uttar Baridhara Club pick up their first win of the Bangladesh Premier League in a 3-2 shocker over Brothers Union at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Friday. Chittagong Abahani also won their first match of the season on Friday; defeating Feni Soccer Club 2-1 in the day’s other game thanks to goals from Javed Khan and Masuk Miah.
Wassiou Olalawon scored a consolation goal for Feni just before time expired.
Newly-promoted Baridhara bounced back from their 7-0 drubbing at the hands of Team BJMC and looked ready to compete with Brothers from the early going, producing the first chance of the game in the sixth minute, when Sujan Biswas’ strike was handled by Brothers goalkeeper Sabuj Das Raghu.
Baridhara broke through in the 30th minute courtesy a header from Baridhara right-back Monu, who found the back of the net after Kosoko’s cross.
Brothers had a chance to go level just before halftime, but Nigerian Victory Antoni missed a penalty and Monu made things worse for them in stoppage time when he took advantage of a Raghu fumble and doubled the underdogs’ lead.
Baridhara added their third in the 52nd minute, when Shahidul Islam Shawpan scored from a free-kick at the edge of the box.
Brothers finally pulled one back in the 57th minute when Victory Antoni made amends for his penalty miss by volleying home to reduce the deficit to two.
Faisal Mahmud gave Brothers a lifeline with a right-footed strike on 80 minutes to bring them within one goal, but a committed defensive effort from Baridhara kept them out in the last 10 minutes of the match.
‘We were not a team to concede seven goals and the boys were determined to prove themselves. Besides, the inclusion of Monu and Sujan has strengthened our squad,’ said Baridhara coach Mohammad Alamgir.
On the other side, Brother coach Nayeemuddin rued his team’s mistakes at the back and failure to capitalise on the chances they created.
‘The match could have been different had Victory converted the spot kick. Besides, we created a lot of scoring chances that were not availed by our strikers. All three goals we conceded were mistakes either from the goalkeeper or the defenders,’ he said.
RESULTs
Uttar Baridhara 3 (Monu 30, 45, Shapon 53) v Brothers Union 2 (Victory 57, Faisal 81)
Ctg Abahani Ltd 2 (Javed 5, Masuk 35) v Feni Soccer Club 1 (Wassio 88)
-With New Age input
