National striker Jahid Hasan Ameli was on target as Sheikh Russel KC returned to winning ways after their 2-1 win over Team BJMC in the Manyavar Bangladesh Premier League at Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.
The defeat against namesake Sheikh Jamal DC in the previous match had no bearing as Sheikh Russel began the game brightly, creating their first opportunity in the ninth minute but BJMC goalkeeper Hemel made a brilliant save to deny Jamaican forward Akeem Sayeed’s header.
The Blues, however, did not have to wait long to take the lead as they went ahead in the 20th minute courtesy of a cool finish from Paul Emile. BJMC came agonisingly close to equalising just two minutes before the first-half whistle but captain and midfielder Samson Illiasu hit the sidepost. Ameli doubled the lead eight minutes into the second half. Nigerian defender Olabanji Oyeyemi felled Hemanta inside the box and Ameli made no mistake rifling home the spot-kick.
BJMC forward Nabib Newaj Jibon pulled one back in the 84th minute from the penalty spot after a Topu Barman foul on Mehedi Hasan Tapu.
The victory took Sheikh Russel to fifth in the 11-team standings with 12 points from six matches while BJMC are second-from-bottom with just one point from the same number of matches.
Meanwhile in the day’s other match, second-placed Mohammedan stumbled again in their pursuit of the title as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Feni Soccer Club.
With 13 points from seven matches, Mohammedan trail table-toppers Sheikh Jamal by six points while Soccer Club are eighth with five points from six games.
Mohammad Ibrahim put the traditional Black and Whites ahead with just five minutes into the clock when he placed home into the far-post netting after an Ismail Bangoura cut-back. Mohammedan’s delight, however, did not last long as Soccer Club brought parity in the 22nd minute. Gambian midfielder Jatta Mustapha scored from the penalty spot after Sohel Rana fouled him inside the box.
