Mohammedan Sporting Club lost a big opportunity to reduce the gap on table toppers Sheikh Jamal DC when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Feni Soccer Club in their Bangladesh Premier League match on Sunday. In the second match of the day, Sheikh Russell Krira Chakra returned to winning ways with a 2-1 win over against Team BJMC, also at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.After the draw, the fallen giants Mohammedan moved to the second position of the points table with 13 points from seven games — six points behind leaders Sheikh Jamal.
Mohammad Ibrahim put Mohammedan ahead just five minutes into the match, when the young midfielder sent the ball into the far post following a cutback of Guinean forward Ismail Bangoura.
Their lead didn’t last long as Feni Soccer leveled the margin in the 22nd minute after Gambian Jatta Mustapha converted the spot-kick.
Feni were awarded the penalty by the referee after Sohel Rana fouled Mustapha inside the penalty box.
Towhidul Alam Sabuz wasted a bright chance to secure a win in injury time when the Mohammedan skipper failed to connect in a cutback of Bangoura from the six-yard box.
Meanwhile, after conceding a 1-0 defeat against Sheikh Jamal in the previous match, Russell were back into winning ways with the goals from Cameroonian Paul Emile and national forward Zahid Hasan Ameli.
Nabib Newaz Jibon pulled one goal back for BJMC.
Russell created the first real chance in the 9th minute but BJMC keeper Himel made a brilliant diving save to deny Jamaican forward Akeem Sayeed’s header.
Russell went ahead in the 20th minute when Paul Emile received a long ball from Hemanta Vincent before rounding off BJMC defender Roni to fire the ball home past BJMC keeper Himel.
Nigerian midfielder Samson Iliasu saw his shot from edge of the box hit the side post in the 43rd minute.
Veteran forward Ameli grabbed his third goal of the league to extend the advantage of Russell eight minutes into the second half by converting a spot-kick.
Nigerian defender Olabanji Oyeyemi brought Hemanta down inside the box and referee had no hesitation to award the penalty.
Jibon reduced the margin by scoring one goal back in the 79th minute from penalty after Tapu Barman fouled Mehedi Hasan Tapu inside the box.
Russell keeper Russell Mahmud LIton produced a stunning save to deny Tapu to level the margin in the 85th minute as the national goalie punched away a superb back volley of Tapu from the six yard box.
The victory took Russel to fifth place with 12 points from six matches while BJMC earned only one point so far from same number of outings.
RESULTS
Mohammedan SC 1 (Ibrahim 5) v Feni Soccer Club 1 (Jatta Mustapha 22)
Sheikh Russell KC 2 (Paul Emile 20, Zahid Hasan Ameli 53) v Team BJMC 1 (Jibon 79)
-With New Age input
