Muktijoddha Sangsad failed to continue their winning run in the Bangladesh Premier Football League as they managed a 1-1 draw against Brothers Union at Bangabandhu National Stadium on Friday. Muktijoddha thrashed Sheikh Russell Krira Chakra and Chittagong Abahani in their last two matches. However, against Brothers, the All Reds were unable to maintain their first-half lead provided by Nigerian marksman Eleta Kingsley.
Luck also favoured Muktijoddha as they did not concede a goal despite being reduced to 10 men half an hour before the final whistle.
After conceding the goal, Brothers increased the pressure on their opponent’s defence but grabbed only the equaliser, courtesy Nigerian Kester Akon in the 74th minute.
Muktijoddha, who have already faced all the top teams in the league’s first phase, stood on 11 points before facing comparatively weaker opponents in Uttar Baridhara and Feni Soccer Club.
All Reds coach Shafiqul Islam Manik was furious after the final whistle and blamed veteran midfielder Enamul Haque, who acted irresponsibly by conceding two yellow cards in the match.
‘[Enamul] is a senior player. He should not have acted like this. I warned him during the break to be more cautious as he had already received a booking in the first half. The red card cost us the game,’ said Manik.
Before taking the lead, Muktijoddha controlled proceedings as their attacking trio breached the Brothers backline several times and during stoppage time of the first half, the former got the desired result.
After receiving a short pass from Enamul, Kingsley hit a left-footed shot from inside the box which went flying into the back of the net.
Brothers endeavoured hard to return to the game and Enamul helped them a great deal as he received his marching orders after fouling Faisal Mahmud in the 60th minute.
Muktijoddha goalkeeper Rasel Mahmud Liton made a decent save in the 69th minute to deny Jewel Rana’s close-range effort from a Faisal Mahmud corner.
Brothers finally registered the equalising goal in the 74th minute as Akon made no mistake heading the ball home after good work from his teammate, Ghanaian Issah Yousuf. Yousuf headed a cross in the path of Akon who headed home from the edge of the six-yard box.
RESULT
Brothers Union 1 (Kester 74) v Muktijoddha Sangsad 1 (Eleta 45+2)
-With New Age input
