Defending champions Sheikh Russell KC on Sunday suffered their first defeat in the Bangladesh Premier Football League this season after going down by 1-0 against Brothers Union at the Bangabandhu National Stadium. Winger Rubel Mia scored the all-important goal in the 73rd minute to give Brothers their first win of the campaign after two consecutive defeats while Sheikh Russell tasted their first loss after two wins on the trot.
Sheikh Russell are still top with six points from three games although they will drop down to second if Sheikh Jamal DC win or draw their clash with Feni Soccer Club today.
Treble winners last season, Sheikh Russell badly missed the services of defender Rajani Kanta Barman, midfielders Francisco, Maxim and Imrul Hasan, who were all absent due to injuries while defender Mamun Mia and midfielder Shakil Ahmed are already sidelined.
In the absence of so many established regulars, Brothers came close to taking the lead in the 19th minute when Ghanaian defender Issah Yousuf received a pass from Jewel Rana but Yousuf’s shot went straight at the hands of Sheikh Russell goalkeeper Biplob Bhattacharjee.
Sheikh Russell on the other hand registered their first chance in the 39th minute. Morocco’s Youness Roux was able to thread a pass through to an unmarked Mithun Chowdhury inside the box but his low shot just missed the far post.
Six minutes after the second half was underway, Sheikh Russell striker Robin missed a golden opportunity to give his side the lead. The forward was one-on-one with Brothers custodian Sabuj Das and when the situation demanded a chip shot, Robin instead shot straight at Sabuj.
Later in the game, Youness crafted a few runs into the box but on each occasion the Brothers defenders stood tall.
And in the 73rd minute, Brothers went ahead in what turned out to be the match-winning goal.
Brothers’ Nigerian recruit Kester immaculately received a long free-kick on the edge of the box and passed to Rubel. Rubel placed a spinning shot into the back of the net, past the despairing dive of Biplob to ensure three crucial points for Brothers.
RESULT
Brothers Union 1
(Rubel 73 min) v Sheikh Russell KC 0
-With New Age input
