Muktijoddha Sangsad Krira Chakra sealed their fourth consecutive win in the Bangladesh Premier League after defeating Sheikh Russell Krira Chakra 2-1 at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Monday. With the win Muktijoddha are now sharing the top spot of the points table with defending champions Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club, who also won their first four matches.
Abahani Limited remained hot on their heels registering their third win over Team BJMC by 2-0 in the second match of the day.
In-form Muktijoddha skipper Enamul Haque and Senegalese forward Camara Sarba scored one goal each and in between their goals Cameroonian Paul Emile struck for Russell.
Enamul put Muktijoddha ahead in the 21st minute with a left footed volley from a Kanchon cross, his fourth goal which took him level with three overseas players as league’s joint highest scorer.
Russell leveled the margin just eight minutes later when Emile headed home following a Zahid Hossain free-kick from the left-flank.
Muktihoddha winger Faysal Mahmud saw his 30-yard powerful attempt missing the side post by a whisker.
Russell, the 2012 treble winners, who beat Brothers Union and Mohammedan Sporting Club in their first two matches, now lost their way and suffered defeats in consecutive matches.
Russell received a massive blow just three minutes into the second half when they were reduced to 10 men as referee Mizanur Rahman gave the marching order to Hemanta Vincent for the second booking after his rough tackle on Egyptian Fekry Zeida.
Muktijoddha exploited the weaknesses of opponents and Camara Sarba sealed the important victory in the 63rd minute. The Senegalese forward tapped the ball home over onrushing Russell keeper Mamun Khan after receiving a cross from Saydul Haque.
In other match, two local midfielders Shahedul Alam and Abdul Baten Komol helped Abahnai manage a convincing 2-0 win against Team BJMC.
After wasting a couple of scoring opportunities, the Sky-Blues took the lead in the 32nd minute when Shahed’s long-range effort from 25 yards out found the right corner of the net past BJMC keeper Mohammad Nayeem.
Komol made it 2-0 five minutes later as the national winger sent the ball into the net after a superb lobbed pass from Nasiur Islam.
The victory kept Abahani in third place with 10 points from four matches while BJMC earned only one point from the same number of outings.
RESULTS
Sheikh Russell KC 1 (Paul 30) v Muktijoddha Sangsad 2 (Enamul 21, Camara 63)
Abahani Limited 2 (Shahed 32, Komol 37) v Team BJMC 0
-With New Age input
