Bangladesh Premier League champions Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club suffered their second defeat in the AFC Cup when they lost 0-2 to Ceres La Salle of Philippines at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Tuesday.
Spanish forward Adrian Gallardo scored a brace to seal the victory for the visitors, who made a 2-2 draw against Selangor FA of Malaysia in their opening match on February 23.On the other hand, Jamal, who suffered a huge 0-4 defeat against Tampines Rovers of Singapore in their first match, conceded both the goals in the first half.
Gallardo put La Salle ahead in the 25th minute after receiving a fine through from midfielder Stephen Schrock. The spaniard poked the ball past the Jamal keeper Shahidul Alam Sohel to make it 1-0.
Landing Darboe of Jamal wasted a great opportunity to level the margin just two minutes later but the Gambian midfielder’s weak effort between the legs of Juan Guirado went straight to the keeper.
Gallardo doubled the margin in the 29th minute with Schrock again the provider. This was also the Spaniard’s third goal of the campaign.
In the 39th minute, Landing saw his shot out from the 25-yard box beat the Salle keeper only to hit the side post.
In the added minutes of the first half, Jamal had their best chance to reduce the margin when stopper back Yeasin Khan’s header off Haitian Wedson Anselme’s free-kick was brilliantly saved by keeper Casas.
Jamal were reduced to ten men in the 76th minute when Yeasin received his second yellow card.
Jamal coach Shafiqul Islam Manik expressed his disappointment over the performance of the team.
‘It’s really disappointing that we conceded two straight defeats including today [Tuesday] at home,’ said the coach.
‘They are better prepared, they have better players and overall they are a better side. We got chances to come back to the game but failed. The problem is in the mentality of the players.’
Jamal will play their third match against Selangor FA on March 15 at the same venue.
RESULT
Sheikh Jamal DC 0 v Ceres La Salle 2 (Adrian Gallardo 25, 29)
-With New Age input
