Bangladesh Police FC’s quarter-final hope was hanging in the balance after their 2-2 draw against Lt. Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club Limited in the Federation Cup at Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka Sunday.
Police lost their Group A opener 1-0 against Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra and ended their campaign with one point from two matches.
With the draw, Sheikh Russel’s place in the last was confirmed and they will now take on Sheikh Jamal in the third and final Group A game Wednesday to decide the fate of the second quarter-finalist of the pool.
A draw will be enough for Sheikh Jamal to qualify, while a 1-0 loss will also see them advance, but anything over a 2-0 defeat will take Police into the last eight.
Police got a good opportunity to take the lead in just the second minute but Ballo Famoussa, racing in from the left flank, scuffed his shot towards the Sheikh Jamal goalkeeper.
The law enforcement authorities did not take long to break the deadlock though as Mohammad Shadhin put them ahead in the 10th minute.
Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra kicked off their Federation Cup 2020 campaign with a solitary goal victory against Police FC at Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka Thursday.
Posted by Sports Tribune on Thursday, 24 December 2020
It was then Sheikh Jamal’s turn to spray the Police goal with shots, the latter’s goalkeeper on alert to deny Gambian forward Omar Jober’s powerful shot for a corner in the 38th minute.
2015 edition winner Sheikh Jamal then brought parity after the break in the 51st minute when Jober placed home with his right foot after good work by captain Solomon King, who provided the assist between two opposition defenders.
Sheikh Jamal could’ve taken the lead in the 58th minute but Otabek’s shot kissed the post after being touched by the Police keeper.
Eight minutes later Famoussa once again lost his bearings while shooting to miss a golden opportunity for Police.
Sheikh Jamal’s Ariful Islam then put through his own net while trying to clear in the 77th minute but his skipper Solomon spared his blushes as the Gambian forward placed home the equalizer from an Otabek free-kick.
Goalkeeper Mohammad Nehal ensured Sheikh Jamal would leave with a point as he made two double saves in the 87th minute, first to deny Mohammad Jewel’s shot from a Jamir Uddin cutback, and then Jamir’s rebound.
