Sheikh Russell Krira Chakra managed a 2-1 win over Mohammedan Sporting Club in their crucial Bangladesh Premier League match encounter at Bangabandu national stadium on Wednesday. Russell captain Mithun Chowdhury put his team ahead in the added time of the first half before Hemanta Vincent Biswas doubled the lead in the 84th minute. Guinean forward Ismail Bangoura scored a consolation goal for Mohammedan.
The win puts Russell into the joint second spot of the point table with 26 points from 12 matches ahead Mohammedan, who also have the same number of points, but played one more game.
Leaders Shiekh Jamal have 30 points from 13 matches.
The result also broke the eight-match unbeaten streak for Mohammedan.
From the beginning of the match both teams tried to use their wings to initiate attacks on a rain-soaked sluggish playing surface.
Mohammedan midfielder Masuk Mia Jony tried his luck from 30 yards in the sixth minute that flew inches over the crossbar.
Winger Zahid Hossain, who was the main architect behind Russell’s most of the attacks, provided a neat cross from right flank in the 20th minute but Cameroonian defender Yonta Michael produced a brilliant tackle to restrict Zahid Hasan Ameli inside the box.
At the half-hour mark, Russell goalkeeper Russell Mahmud Liton produced a great save to deny Bangoura’s powerful shot.
Russell finally broke the deadlock in the added time of the first half and Zahid showed his skill to give his side a precious lead.
Zahid unleashed a powerful goal-bound free-kick from 25 yards that was neatly placed into the net by Mithun.
Two minutes into the second half, Mohammedan winger Jewel Rana wasted a great opportunity to level the margin when he shot over the bar following a through pass of Bangoura.
Michael again made a brilliant tackle to stop Cameroonian forward Paul Emile inside the penalty area two minute before Ibrahim squandered the best chance of the match.
The young midfielder dribbled past two defenders and the goalkeeper only to shoot wide of the empty net from the middle of the box.
Hemanta doubled the lead six minutes from the time when the national midfielder headed home following a precise cross of defender Jewel Rana from the right flank.
Bangoura netted his 11th goal in the league to reduce the margin for Mohammedan converting from the penalty spot in the injury time after Russell defender Waly Faisal had committed a handball inside the box.
RESULT
Sk Russell 2 (Mithun 45+1, Hemanta 84) v Mohammedan 1 (Bangoura 90+3)
-With New Age input
