Mohammedan Sporting Club Limited got off to a winning start in the Bangladesh Premier League, beating Arambagh Krira Sangha 1-0 at Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka Friday.
Both Mohammedan and Arambagh have been struggling ever since the casino crackdowns, and are currently managed by former players.
Mohammedan, under Australian head coach Sean Lane, prevailed thanks to Nigerian Ugochukwu Obi Moneke’s strike at the half hour mark.
Mohammedan could have taken the lead in the 15th minute, but Shahed Hossain’s shot kissed the post before going out harmlessly.
However, Obi soon gave Mohammedan the lead when he skipped past Arambagh defender Elita Benjamin and placed home into the net.
Rahmatganj Muslim Friends Society might have played the final of the season opening Federation Cup but were brought right back down to earth by Saif Sporting Club in the Bangladesh Premier League in Mymensingh’s Rafiq Uddin Stadium Friday.https://t.co/BIIJhHjUJE#FOOTBALL #BPL
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) February 14, 2020
Mohammedan continued their dominance in the second half but could not quite keep their composure in the final third, including in the 47th minute when Malian Souleymane Diabate shot over the bar from a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper.
In the 50th minute, Arambagh had a golden opportunity to restore parity but Egyptian forward Mostafa Mahmud made a mess of a fine Elita Kingsley pass from the left flank, shooting over the bar from touching distance.
Two minutes later, Mohammedan got another chance to double their advantage but Yusuf Sifat could not cash in on the good opportunity.
Ten minutes from time, Arambagh had one last shot at an equalizer but substitute midfielder Abdul Baten Komol could not connect with his shot from a goalmouth scramble, as keeper Mohammad Hossain Sujon came to the rescue for the Black and Whites.
RESULT
Arambagh 0 1 Mohammedan (Obi 29)