A solitary strike by Eleta Kingsley propelled Team BJMC to a winning start in the KFC Independence Cup as they edged past Rahmatganj MFS 1-0 in the tournament opener at Bangabandhu National Stadium.
Yesterday’s game ushered in the country’s professional football season 2015-16 and it was Nigerian striker Kingsley who attracted all the headlines with a goal and a penalty miss in the either side of each half.
BJMC initiated the tie’s first notable attack in the 19th minute when Jakir Hossain Ziku’s close-range volley deflected off a Rahmatganj defender for a corner.
Rahmatganj themselves came close to breaking the deadlock 10 minutes from the first half whistle when BJMC goalkeeper Arifuzzaman Himel denied forward Nurul Absar’s strike with a decent save.
BJMC however, made no mistake just four minutes later when Kingsley, wearing the captain’s armband, unleashed a free-kick against the wall and into the net. Formerly at Sheikh Russel KC, Kingsley continued to threaten the opposition after resumption.
In the opening stages of the second half, Kingsley tried his luck from 20 yards out with a powerful curved effort that was punched away for a corner by Rahmatganj custodian Al Amin.
Rahmatganj defender Sumon Dey gifted BJMC a penalty in the 69th minute when he accidentally grasped the ball. Al Amin though produced a magnificent save to thwart Kingsley.
Meanwhile, yesterday’s evening encounter between Brothers Union and newly-promoted Uttar Baridhara Club was postponed. The rescheduled match will take place today at the big bowl at 6pm.
Thursday, April 25, 2024
