Sheikh Russel KC extended their winning streak in the Grameenphone Bangladesh Premier League to four matches by posting a 3-2 win over minnows Rahmatganj MFS at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.
Midfielder Emon Babu, Cameroonian midfielder Frank Olivier and Senegalese hitman Mouchid Iyane struck one goal apiece for Sheikh Russel to help them post their sixth victory in 12 matches that also took them to third position from having 20 points.
Nigerian striker Nche Franchis and Ghanaian forward Idris Kasirye pulled a goal each back for Rahmatganj MFS but could not avoid their seventh defeat in 12 matches. The Old Dhaka outfit lie at the bottom of the 11-team points table with nine points from 12 matches.
Sheikh Russel, who signed three foreign players in the mid-season transfer window, looked sharp upfront two new Cameroonian and one Senegalese player but the absence of Abbas Inusa made their backline vulnerable and it seemed that Sheikh Russel were going to drop points with the bottom-side Rahmatganj MFS at one stage.
However, Sheikh Russel left the field with full three points, thanks to a brilliant save from substitute goalkeeper Mohammad Al Amin, who came in place of number one Biplab Bhattacharjee after the break.
Sheikh Russel took a ninth-minute lead through Emon Babu who placed a Zahed Parvez cross home while winger Zahed squandered an opportunity from the edge of the six-yard box on 22 minutes.
Sheikh Russel were ruling the early exchanges but Rahmatganj came back strongly as they equalised in the 26th minute.
Left-winger Shirfin Ahmed Rony put the ball inside the area for Idris Kasirye, who made space on his right side to feed unmarked Franchis and the Nigerian striker hammered past goalkeeper Biplob for the equaliser.
But their cerebration lasted only four minutes as Oliver found the back of the Rahmatganj net with a harmless shot that took a slight deflection off defender Ddumba Micheal.
With five minutes left for the breather, Mouchid made it 3-1 for Sheikh Russel as the tall marksman won an aerial tussle with advancing goalkeeper Sujan Chowdhury and headed the ball home.
Rahmatganj again pulled one goal back through Idris who hammered a powerful shot after a left-side cross from Rony fell to him inside the box in the stoppage time of the first half.
After resumption, Sheikh Russel dominated the game but failed to extend the lead as Mouchid and Oliver squandered two chances each before the match was suspended for five minutes for bad light.
Sheikh Russel almost conceded an equaliser in the injury time but goalkeeper Al Amin foiled a powerful effort from Idris while a Conte Bangoura free-kick missed the target narrowly as Sheikh Russel left the pitch with another win.
-With The Daily Star input
