Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club began their campaign in the curtain-raising TVS Federation Cup with a 1-1 draw against Rahmatganj MFS in the second match of Group C at the Bangabandhu National Stadium Sunday.
Rahmatganj, who were held to a goalless draw against Saif Sporting Club in their first match, have now concluded their group fixtures with two points to lead the table. The result of last group match between Sheikh Jamal and Saif will decide the two quarterfinalists.
Both Sheikh Jamal and Rahmatganj created chances in the first half, but neither managed to get a breakthrough. A powerful shot from Jamal’s Gambian winger Solomon King flew an inch over the bar in the 21st minute, before Rahmatganj’s Gambian forward Momodou Bah shot straight at the keeper in the 38th minute.
After the break, the Old Dhaka outfits created three good chances in the first quarter of an hour. Uzbek striker Turaev Akobir made a break down the right side, but his effort went wide off the far post.
Jamal keeper Ziaur Rahman made a couple of saves at the hour mark, denying Bah and Arafat Hossain, but he could not prevent the next attack that was initiated by a corner.
Camara Younoussa broke the deadlock in the 61st minute, placing home from a tight angle following a goal-mouth scramble after Bah's initial effort was blocked.
Nigerian defender Monday Osagie equalised in the 76th minute with a brilliant left-footer from the top of the box, after he had received a pass from Mozammel Hossain and skipped past Camara.
After the match, Sheikh Jamal head coach Shafiqul Islam Manik said: “We played four warm-up matches during two and a half months of preparation, but this was competitive match. Rahmatganj wanted to win, so it was difficult for us. A draw is good for the start.”
Rahmatganj head coach Sayed Golam Jilani said: “We needed to win the game to ensure a quarterfinal berth. We only had three weeks of preparation and we have to improve more.”
When they face Saif Sporting on Friday, Sheikh Jamal need only a point to move through to the last-eight.
Rahmatganj: Rasel Mahmud Liton; Acpopob Asrorov, Camara Younoussa, Mahmudul Hasan Kiron (RB), Nahid Islam; Arafat Hossain, Shahedul Alam (Didarul Alam), Sanoar Hossain, Shuhel Miah (Sajidur Rahman), Momodou Bah; Turaev Akobir.
Sheikh Jamal: Ziaur Rahman; Kasto Kumar Bosh, Rezaul Karim, Monday Osagie, Monir Hossain (Mozammel Hossain Nira), Shakil Ahmed; Mazharul Islam Sourav (Zahid Hossain), Omar Faruk Babu (Fazlay Rabbi), Yusuke Kato, Solomon King; Ballo Famoussa.
Rahmatganj 1 (Camara 61') Sheikh Jamal 1 (Monday 76')