Sheikh Jamal DC extended their lead at the top of table when they crushed Mohammedan SC 3-0 in their Bangladesh Premier League match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Thursday. Nigerian striker Emeka Darlington scored a brace while Haitian forward Sony Norde netted the other goal to secure their 10th victory of the league as Jamal remained firmly at the top with 34 points, six ahead of Abahani, who beat Team BJMC in the other match of the day.
After their shocking loss to arch-rivals Mohammedan, Abahani returned to winning ways by recording their eighth win in the league only to trail behind leaders Jamal by six points in the table.
Abahani’s Portuguese forward Leonildo Suares broke the deadlock in the 56th minute by converting from the penalty spot after his Ghanaian mate Osei Morrison was brought down by BJMC keeper Arifuzzaman Himel inside the box.
Abahani doubled the lead in the 64th minute after a one-two between Morrison and Shahedul Alam and the Ghanian passed the ball to later to make it 2-0.
BJMC’s Guinian marksman Ismail Bangoura reduced the margin in the last minute of the stipulated time with a header from Illiasu free-kick.
Away at the MA Aziz Stadium in Chittagong, two bottom sides – Chittagong Abahani and Feni Soccer Club – shared one point each after a goalless draw.
In the day’s first match, Darlington wasted a golden opportunity for Jamal in the very third minute.
After receiving a through pass from Alamgir Kabir Rana, Darlington beat the offside trap to move into the penalty area and dodged Mohammedan keeper Titu only to see his shot blocked by Arup Baidya.
Just a minute later his another effort was again cleared by Baidya.
In the 12th minute, Sony Norde put Sheikh Jamal ahead, receiving a long pass from Kesto Kumar he dodged past a defender before firing the ball into the MSC net between Mohammedan defenders Mintu Sheikh and Bayback.
Darlington doubled the lead in the 22nd minute as Norde provided a cross from the left-flank that found an unmarked Darlington, who headed the ball home from middle of the box.
Norde almost scored another in the 38th minute when the Haitian forward’s angular shot from inside the box went just wide.
After receiving a pass from Hardy Pinto in the first-half stoppage time, Arup Baidya fired a 25-yard shot which hit the side bar.
Wedson produced a solo effort just a minute later as the Haitian dribbled past three defenders from almost halfway line but his shot was blocked by onrushing Titu.
Mohammedan missed another opportunity to reduce the margin just a minute before half-time as Arup provided a cross from the right but Towhidul Alam Sabuj headed over the bar from close range.
Mohammedan defender Nahid almost scored an own goal in the 52nd minute when his clearance off Norde’s corner hit the side bar.
Darlington again preserved his top spot in the scorers’ list by scoring his 14th goal of the league and extended Jamal’s lead to 3-0 in the 62nd minute when Norde slid the ball into his path and the Nigerian placed the ball into the net.
-With New Age input
