IFA Shield runners up Sheikh Jamal DC were held by Team BJMC 2-2 in the Bangladesh Premier League at Bangabandhu National Stadium on Saturday.
The Dhanmondi-based side failed to display their dazzling array of football and had to be satisfied with the share of points for the second consecutive game after their previous league game against Dhaka Mohammedan also ended in a draw a month ago.
Courtesy the 2-2 draw, Sheikh Jamal moved to third place in the standings with 14 points from six matches.
Team BJMC, on the other hand, progressed to fifth with 12 points from nine matches. So far, Team BJMC have three wins and as many draws and losses.
The services team took an early lead as their Nigerian midfielder Samson Illiasu put them ahead in the second minute with a long-range effort after receiving a pass on the edge of the box.
But Team BJMC’s veteran defender Saifuddin presented Sheikh Jamal with the equaliser as his clearing header off a Mamunul Islam free-kick entered his own post six minutes later.
The referee overlooked a genuine penalty appeal of Team BJMC in the 27th minute when Nasiruddin Chowdhury seemed to have used his arm to guide the ball to the keeper.
Sheikh Jamal though went ahead in the 36th minute through Nigerian goal machine Emeka Darlington, who scored from a long Raihan throw-in.
However, Sheikh Jamal failed to keep their lead as the unfancied opponents grabbed the equaliser in the 43rd minute. Ismael Bangoura laid a low cross at the path of Uche Felix from the left flank. Felix placed the ball into the back of the net after outpacing a couple of defenders.
Sheikh Jamal’s Nigerian coach Joseph Afusi admitted that his players struggled with their game in the natural turf after recently playing in the artificial turfs in the IFA Shield.
‘After playing a few matches in the artificial turfs, the boys struggled to play in the natural turf which might have been the reason behind the draw,’ said Afusi, who was hopeful that his charges will play their natural game in the next top flight game against Abahani Limited on February 25.
-With New Age input
