Mohammedan Sporting Club Limited continued to stutter in the Bangladesh Premier Football League as they drew their second consecutive game, the latest coming against newly-promoted Uttar Baridhara at Bangabandhu National Stadium on Saturday. The Black and Whites were held to a 1-1 draw in their opening game against Muktijoddha Sangsad and the former once again dropped two crucial points against Uttar Baridhara on Saturday as the game ended in a goalless draw.
Mohammedan’s Portuguese coach Rui Batista is still looking for his first win after taking charge of the popular Motijheel outfit just before the top flight got underway.
‘I didn’t get much time to work with the team as I only had six or seven practice sessions with the team,’ said Batista adding that, ‘it was a bad day for our team and I think to get success, we need to have three quality players in the three different positions.’
Uttar Baridhara coach Mohammed Alamgir, on the other hand, admitted that the result was a major positive for his side after going down to a 4-0 defeat in their opening game against Sheikh Russell KC.
‘Of course, the goalless draw was as good as a win against a giant like Mohammedan,’ said an elated Alamgir.
‘We did not have enough time to prepare for the league but the lads took to the field with a target to fight neck-and-neck. They proved that they have the potential,’ he added.
The first opportunity of the game belonged to Uttar Baridhara as striker Nazrul Islam Sumon took advantage of a misunderstanding between Mohammedan defenders Mintu Sheikh and Baybeck in the 14th minute but Sumon’s shot from the edge of the box missed the goal.
Mohammedan had to wait till the 30th minute for their first meaningful opening. Sohag circled around an opposition defender inside the box before passing the ball forward to Jahid Hossain but Jahid’s weak shot barely troubled the Uttar Baridhara goalkeeper.
Uttar Baridhara came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock in the very next minute when Abul Kalam Azad drifted into the penalty area following a through pass from Nigerian midfielder Kosoko. However, custodian Mamun Khan came to Mohammedan’s rescue.
After resumption, Uttar Baridhara keeper Osman Goni made a decent save in the 51st minute to deny Tapu Barman’s shot from hitting the back of the net.
Mamun saved Mohammedan’s blushes again in the 54th minute as Nigerian striker Akindele showed great control while receiving a lobbed pass from fellow countryman Quadri Larne but Akindele’s powerful volley was gathered safely by Mamun.
A minute before the final whistle, Uttar Baridhara defender Saidur Rahman confirmed a point for his side by parrying away a header from Mohammedan skipper Zahid Hasan Ameli from the goal-line.
-With New Age input
