Muktijoddha Sangsad Krira Chakra obtained their first win in the Bangladesh Premier League as they snatched a 2-1 victory over Team BJMC at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Friday.
Muktijoddha, who began their league campaign with a 1-1 draw against Mohammedan, had the last laugh after a thrilling contest against Team BJMC.Shafiqul Islam Bipul and Nigerian Eleta Benjamin scored one each for the victors, while Nigerian Samson Iliasu scored for BJMC.
Muktijoddha took the lead in the fourth minute when young midfielder Shafiqul Islam Bipul’s shot from the top of the box slipped through the gloves of the keeper and went in at the far post.
BJMC missed an opportunity in the 21st minute when Samson Iliasu’s header following an Abdullah Al Parvez free kick from the right flank went just over the bar.
BJMC had another opportunity in the 40th minute but Aminur Rahman Shajib’s header from the inside the box hit the woodwork after a 35-yard free kick from Abdullah Al Parvez.
Nigerian defender Eleta Benjamin increased Mukti’s lead in first-half stoppage time with an eye-popping effort, volleying past BJMC keeper Ariful Islam from top right of the box off a corner from Maruf Ahmed.
Nigerian midfielder Samson Iliasu scored for BJMC in the 60th minute with an absolute screamer from 20 yards out after a lobbed pass from Omar Faruk Babu.
Despite sealing three crucial points, Muktijoddha coach Shafiqul Islam Manik was not one hundred per cent satisfied because he noticed that his players relaxed a little bit after taking a 2-0 lead.
‘Because of the relaxation of our players after the 2-0 lead, BJMC put extreme pressure on us, which might bring unanticipated results for the team,’ said Manik.
BJMC, who began their campaign with a 2-1 victory over Feni Soccer, were also affected by the absences of captain Jean Jules Ikanga of Cameroon and Guinean marksman Ismania Bangoura, who had missed training over the last four days due to irregular payment issues.
A source inside the team said that the duo did not join the team because they did not get their wages on time, but nobody from the side, including coach Ali Asgar Nasir, made any official comments about their absence.
RESULT
Muktijoddha Sangsad 2 (Bipul 4, Eleta Benjamin 45) v Team BJMC 1 (Illiasu 61)
-With New Age input
