Holders Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club consolidated their lead in the Manyavar Bangladesh Premier League with an emphatic 4-1 win over Team BJMC at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.
Shohel Rana, Landing Darboe, Emeka Darlington and Wedson Anselme struck one goal apiece to take the defending champions to 36 pionts, seven clear of second-placed Sheikh Russel KC, who however played two matches less than Sheikh Jamal’s 15. Team BJMC, with nine defeats in 15 matches, stayed at seventh position with 12 points.
Sheikh Jamal came into the match on the back of a 5-1 win over Chittagong Abahani and another big triumph was anticipated when Sohel Rana opened the scoring in the fourth minute after BJMC defender Redwad Bin Rakin lost the ball, which was driven to Sohel for a comfortable easy finish.
But BJMC got back into the game, thanks to an equaliser from captain Samson Iliasu in the 39th minute.
Sheikh Jamal coach Joseph Afusi was forced to send on fever-hit Mamunul Islam along with a couple of tactical changes which eventually wrest control from Team BJMC.
Sheikh Jamal restored the lead in the 60th minute with Landing finding the back of the net with a powerful shot from the edge of the box before Emeka made it 3-1 in the 67th minute while top-scorer Wedson struck his 16th goal of the league deep into the stoppage time to wrap up the 11th victory for Sheikh Jamal.
TEAM BJMC 1 – 4 SK JAMAL
-With The Daily Star input
