Last year’s treble winners Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra escaped with full three points when they came from a goal down to grab a hard fought 2-1 victory in the Bangladesh Premier League over Chittagong Abahani Limited yesterday. Held at the Bangabandhu National Stadium, Napoleon Gebreal scored one goal for Chittagong Abahani while Maxim Eric Roger equalled the margin and Younnes Rouger struck the winning goal for Russel.
It was successive second win for Russel while they began the campaign with a 4-0 victory over the newly promoted Uttar Baridhara. On the other hand Chittagong Abahani Limited suffered consecutive second defeat.
Chittagong Abahani, who enjoyed the ball possession evenly, made the first blood with Napoleon Gebreal opened the scoring on early in the 13th minute.
Napoleon Geberal dribbled past two of his markers before entering into box and stunned Biplob Bhattachariya when he blasted a right foot grounder while Masuk Meah Rony set a through pass down the right side (1-0).
The reigning champions took only three minutes to draw level with Maxime Eric Roger struck a class goal when the attacking midfielder from France executed a free-kick from the penalty-arch beating the Abahani defence wall (1-1).
Chittagong Abahani kept their warfare stance against the day’s favourites also in the second half while they made the first threat just inside four minutes when Atiqur Rahman fired a perfect cross from Sohel Meah but Biplob made a tremendous save. Russel, who actually failed to play in accordance with their real strength had to struggle throughout the match and had to satisfy escaping with full points, as the Chittagong outfit had every possibility to make an upset or snatching at least one point.
But the giants were bit unlucky not to have the lead on 57th minute when a Ricardo close range effort returned to play after hitting the side post.
The All Blues had the great relief on 65th minute with Younses Roux slammed home the winning goal. The Moroccan marked the target with an angular shot into the far post (2-1) as Russel could leave the ground with full three points.
-With The Independent input
