Haitian attacking duo Sony Norde and Wedson Anselme slammed a brace apiece as Sheikh Jamal stamped their authority at the top of the Bangladesh Premier Football League points table after crushing Sheikh Russell 4-1 at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.
Sony Norde seemed to have rediscovered his goal-scoring touch as the Haitian sensation grabbed his first brace in the league this season, notching both the goals in the opening half while his compatriot Wedson Anselme did not let his side feel the absence of the league’s top-scorer Emeka Darlington by netting twice in the either side of each half.
The victory saw star-studded Jamal finish their second phase of the league at the top of the table with 42 points, eight ahead of second-placed Abahani. If the Dhanmondi-based powerhouse, who are still unbeaten in the league, do not concede unexpected points in the final phase then they will be well-placed to become the champions.
It was Maruful Haque’s first match as technical advisor for Jamal against his former club and the former Russel tactician could not have possibly envisaged a better debut. On the contrary, Russel’s Montenegrin coach Dragan Djukanovic is yet to taste his first victory in Bangladesh in five matches.
It took Jamal only 19 minutes to break the deadlock and it was none other than Norde. Skipper Mamunul Islam provided a neat through pass for Wedson and the Haitian forward did even better to deliver a defence-splitting through pass to his compatriot Norde, who slotted home past Biplob from the middle of the box.
Wedson doubled Jamal’s lead just two minutes later to register his 14th league goal this season. Receiving a through pass from Norde, Wedson ran free through the left flank and entered the penalty area before placing the ball calmly into the far post.
The Haitian international scored another at the half-hour mark. Gambian Zatta Mustafa released a superb through pass from halfway for Norde who beat the offside trap to receive the ball and place it at the far post. Wedson scored his 15th goal of the season to extend the lead to 4-0 in the 70th minute when the Haitian fired past Bilpob.
Anwar though pulled one back for Russel four minutes later. The local striker outmuscled Kesto Kumar and rounded off Ziaur before placing the ball into an empty net.