Uttar Baridhara Club Emdadul Haque Monu marked his return to the Bangladesh Premier League with a sensational brace as the promoted side registered their first league victory 3-2 over Brothers Union at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.
The attacking right-back, who was sidelined with injury for the first four matches, made his debut for Uttar Baridhara yesterday. It was also the first time he had played in the premier league after being on the bench for Team BJMC in the last two seasons. Monu could not have written a better script for his return as he scored two goals against a side considered to be superior.
The Gopibag outfit initiated the first attack two minutes after the kick off. Nigerian forward Victori Antoni’s cross from the left flank found Jewel Rana inside the box but his header was saved by Osman Goni. Four minutes later, Brothers goalie Sabuj Das Rogu dived to his left to save Sujon Biswas’ angular shot.
Faisal Mahmud almost took the lead for Brothers when the midfielder curled a free kick from the right side that hit the woodwork and Victori Antoni’s shot from the rebound missed the target.
Emdadul Haque Manu opened the scoring at the half hour mark with a brilliant header. A long cross from Nigerian midfielder Kosoko from the left flank flew over all the defenders to Monu at the bottom-right edge of the six-yard box, whose header went over the keeper and hit the side bar at the far post before bouncing into the net.
Nigerian striker Victori Antoni missed a penalty in the 43rd minute, after Khalekur Jamen fouled Rubel Miah inside the box. Antoni stepped up and sent the ball wide from the spot.
Monu rubbed salt into BJMC’s wound when the defender netted his second of the night in the 45th minute from a goalmouth melee. Rogu failed to hold onto a free kick from Abul Kalam Azad Sumon and as the ball fell into the six-yard box, Monu fired the ball home.
Skipper Shohidul Islam Shopon made the scoreline 3-0 in the 53rd minute with a stunning free kick. Sujon Biswas earned the free kick after being brought down by Ghanaian defender Issah Yousuf just outside the box. Shopon coolly sent the ball over the wall to find the back of the net at the near post, leaving the keeper no chance.
Brothers started to pile pressures on their opponents and Victori Antoni pulled one back for the Orange’s in the 57th minute as he volleyed past Goni after a Jewel Rana header hit the crossbar.
Faisal Mahmud reduced the margin further to 2-3. Faisal showed great control to receive a cross with his forehead, bring it down and smash the ball past Osman Goni while lying down in the middle of the box.
Uttar Baridhara, who were promoted to top flight football for the first time this season, now have five points from five matches and stay in eighth place, while Brother remain in seventh, one point ahead.