Farashganj Sporting Club’s new recruit Henry Chindo scored the winner to help his team come out of the relegation zone with a 1-0 win over title contenders Muktijoddha Sangsad KC in the Bangladesh Premier League on Thursday.
Defending champions Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club came from behind to draw 1-1 with hosts BJMC in the day’s other match at the Tangail stadium.
Kester Akon’s late first-half strike brought Jamal on level term after a 13th-minute goal by striker Ismael Bangoura had given BJMC the lead.
Nigerian Henry, who came to Bangladesh a couple of weeks ago with an aim to play for Muktijoddha but had to join Farashganj after being rejected by the Muktijoddha selectors, proved his prowess by scoring the match decider in the 83rd minute.
He placed the ball into Muktijoddha net with an angular shot from just inside the penalty area after dribbling past two opponent defenders in the match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.
‘I was shocked when I heard that I was not selected after practicing for one week with the Muktijoddha team. I vowed to prove them wrong if I get a chance and now I feel more relieved,’ said Henry.
The second win in 11 matches lifted Farashganj from the bottom of the 11-team league to eighth place on 11 points. Farashganj coach Kamal Babu singled out Henry for the sudden boost in his team’s performance.
‘Most of the African players playing in this country depend on their physical advantage but Henry is not one of them. He is technically sound and has the skill to score while he helps to score as well,’ said Babu who took charge of Farashganj after skipping two matches due to conflict with the officials over his unpaid salary.
Farashganj, however, were well in control of the match from the very beginning and broke down the Muktijoddha defence on several occasion and Siyo Zunapiyo was denied by the crosspiece in the 18th minute.
Muktijoddha, on the other hand, felt the absence of their injured striker Zahid Hasan Ameli and Brazilian playmaker Wellington De Souza as they could create very few chances despite being the number two side in the points table.
‘Yes they played better and won. We made a lot of mistakes and lost the match. Especially the lapse by Ariful cost us the match. I never expected such a mistake from a national defender like him,’ said Muktijoddha coach Manik.
Muktijoddha have 21 points in their tally, four more than the third placed team BJMC. Jamal on the other hand are sixth with 12 points after their 11th match.
-With New Age input
