Brothers Union held title aspirants Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club to an enterprising 1-1 draw in the Super Cup at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Saturday.
Unheralded Jewel Rana put Brothers ahead against the run of the play before a penalty converted by Nasir Ahmed propelled Jamal to equalise the scoreline to finish with a draw in their opening match of the tournament.
Jamal dominated proceedings in the first half to come close to a goal on several occasions but their forwards missed several opportunities which frustrated the Jamal dugout going into the interval.
Brothers Union goalkeeper Sujon Chowdhury stood tall to deny Jamal on three occasions.
Jamal created their first opportunity in the sixth minute when Arup Buddha’s shot was parried away by Sujon who dived to his left.
Shakil also spurned a gilt-edged opportunity in a one-on-one situation in the 13th minute having fed by a perfect cross.
Nasir and Sabuj combined to create another goalscoring chance for Jamal in the 20th minute but Arup shot above the post.
Brothers could even have taken the lead in the 32nd minute but forward Jewel Rana’s shot went straight to opponent goalie Sultan Ahmed Shakil.
However, Jewel Rana atoned for his earlier miss by breaking the deadlock in the 38th minute with a placing shot from a Komol Islam cross from the right flank.
Jamal came very close to leveling the score in the 42nd minute but defender Ariful Islam’s header hit the crossbar from a precise cross delivered from the left wing by Arup Kumar Baiddya.
In the next minute Nasir Uddin Chowdhury, a defender who played in a forward position, was denied by the side post as he headed from a Towhidul Alam Sabuj’s back header on a throw of Rayhan.
Jamal finally found the equaliser in the 51st minute as Nasir converted the penalty awarded to his team as Arup was brought down by Saddam Hossain.
They came very close to a last-gasp winner in the stoppage time, but Brothers’ goalkeeper Sujon fisted away Shakil’s shot from a one-on-one situation.
-With New Age input
