Defending champions Sheikh Russell Krira Chakra continued their bad run when they lost 1-0 to Brothers Union in the second phase of the Bangladesh Premier League at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Saturday. In the first phase, they had also lost to Brothers by the same margin. Though, Rubel Miah was the hero for the winners in the first round, this time Kester Akon sealed victory for the Gopibagh outfit by scoring the only goal of the match in the added time of the first half.
Brothers, who kicked off their second phase with a victory over Abahani Limited, now are level with Russell on 16 points in fifth place from 12 matches.
This was Russell’s new Montenegrin coach Dragan GJukanovic’s second match in charge.
But nothing has changed for Russell after the shock sacking of treble-winning coach Maruful Haque. Gjukanovic has yet to taste a win as his side drew with Chittagong Abahani in his maiden match.
Rubel Miah tested Russell keeper Biplob Bhattacharjee in the 28th minute with a lob which the Russell skipper managed to tip over the bar at the last moment.
Miroslav Savanovic, the Serbian midfielder of Brothers Union, took a curling free-kick in the 36th minute from the left-hand side of the box, which was parried by Sabuj Das Righu but Mithun Chowdhury saw his rebounded blocked by a defender.
The deadlock was broken in the added time of the first half when Nigerian Simon provided the ball to Kester Akon after snatching it from the foot of Sheikh Russell defender Rezaul Karim inside the box and Kester placed the ball past Biplob to give them the win.
After conceding the goal, Sheikh Russell tried hard to restore parity but due to lack of a scorer they conceded the defeat.
-With New Age input
