Brothers Union have yet to taste a Bangladesh League victory this season as they came back from two goals down to share the points with table-toppers Sheikh Russell Krira Chakra with a 2-2 draw at the Kamalapur stadium on Saturday.
The Gopibagh side’s collection is only three points from their four outings, three consecutive draws and a loss against Muktijoddha in their first match. On the other hand, this was the first draw for Sheikh Russell, who are leading the league table with 10 points.
Sheikh Russell took the lead on the half hour mark through national striker Yusuf despite being under pressure because of regular organised attacks by their opponents. Yusuf tapped in a rebound when Emrul Hassan’s fierce shot from close range bounced back off Brothers defender Tofazzel Hossain Apu’s feet. Sheikh Russell’s Moroccan forward Chah Rout Youssef doubled the lead, placing the ball into the top left-hand corner from just outside the penalty area four minutes before halftime.
Brothers Union gave a signal of an intense second half by reducing the margin in the final minute of the first half. Brothers’ Cameroonian striker Bitcha Richard netted from inside the six-yard box, fed by his Brazilian team-mate Everton Souza Santos who received a Rezaul Karim Liton cross before releasing it to Bitcha.
Sheikh Russell, who were shown six yellow cards in the match, played more physical game after the resumption but it could not keep up their lead. Brothers’ Mehedi Hasan Topu, who replaced Azubugwu Mike in the 51st minute, levelled the score just three minutes after he came onto the field. He hit the back of the net from close when a Bitcha header from Faisal Mahmood cross fell into his feet.
It was Brothers Union’s match anyway but luck was not in their favour. They squandered at least three sure sitters. Everton and Bitcha were denied by the woodwork in the 72nd and stoppage time respectively while another powerful shot by Bitcha deflected off a rival defender and went wide in the 64th minute.
