Baridhara's hopes of avoiding relegation still alive

Uttar Baridhara Club kept their hopes alive of staying in the top-flight after earning three crucial points with a narrow 1-0 victory over Muktijoddha Sangsad in the Bangladesh Premier League at Bangabandhu National Stadium on Sunday. The victory helped the Baridhara outfit escape the relegation zone but they, currently second bottom, have tougher tests lying ahead before they can contemplate finishing in the safe zone. Meanwhile in the other match of the day at the same venue, Mohammedan Sporting Club Limited twice came from behind before eventually playing out a 2-2 draw against Arambagh Krira Sangha to remain third from bottom in the points table. The relegation battle is now between four teams but Feni Soccer Club, for now at least, are in the most dangerous position of breaking their continuity in the top-tier. They are currently at the bottom of the standings with 14 points from 18 matches. With Sunday's win, Uttar Baridhara now have three more points than Feni but the former have played a game more. They will face Brothers Union, Abahani Limited and Mohammedan in their final three matches while Feni will play Chittagong Abahani, Arambagh, Muktijoddha and Team BJMC. Team BJMC and Mohammedan have 18 points each. Brazilian forward Leonardo Lima netted the all-important goal for Uttar Baridhara in the 67th minute. A long Monirul Alam free-kick fell inside a goalmouth scramble where Lima collected the ball from Camara Sarba and struck home past Muktis goalkeeper Mamun Khan in the far post. The All Reds could have equalised the margin a minute before the end of stipulated time when Nigerian forward Simon Ezeodika saw his powerful right-footed strike hit the woodwork. Mohammedan continued their struggle in the league and fell behind in the early stages of the game against Arambagh. Forward Sajidur Rahman Sajid opened the scoring in the 16th minute, firing home from a goalmouth scramble after a Mohammad Abdullah corner. Touhidul Alam Sabuj brought parity in the 34th minute, heading home a cross from Guinean striker Ismael Bangoura from the left flank. The Black and Whites could have gone ahead two minutes later when Nzekou Patrice hit the crossbar. Jafar Iqbal came off the bench to put Arambagh ahead again in the 73rd minute with a calm finish into an empty net after a silly blunder by Mohammedan defender Yusuf Ali Khan allowed the substitute forward to drift around freely inside the danger zone. Cameroonian midfielder Patrice gave Mohammedan a lifeline in the 87th minute. Receiving a headed pass from Bangoura, Patrice took a left-footed shot from just outside the box that sneaked into the net.RESULTSUttar Baridhara 1 (Leonardo Lima) 0 MuktijoddhaMohammedan 2 (Touhidul Alam Sabuj 34, Nzekou Patrice 87) 2 Arambagh (Sajidur Rahman Sajid 16, Jafar Iqbal 73)