The six-month long Grameenphone Bangladesh Premier League finally came to an end with Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club beating Brothers Union 2-1 in the very last match to finish the campaign as runners-up yesterday. On a waterlogged pitch at the Bangabandhu National Stadium, both sides struggled to play their fluent best. Rain stopping at half-time brought verve back to the game, and Jamal scored twice, while Brothers managed to net once. Sheikh Jamal, who clinched the league title in 2010-11 season in their first appearance in the top-flight of football, wrapped up the season with 31 points from 16 matches, seven points behind champions Sheikh Russell. Russell also denied Jamal from winning two other trophies, beating the new Dhaka powerhouse in the Independence Cup and Federation Cup finals. Brothers, on the other hand, ended their frustrating season second bottom in the points table. Having won only two games, the Gopibag team finished with 11 points. Heavy rainfall throughout the first half-half kept the players on their toes, and normal play was not possible in the conditions. However, the rainfall started to drop off as the match entered into the second half. Jamal did not take long to break the deadlock. Six minutes into the second half, Nigerian forward Emmanuel Ariwchukwu slotted the ball into the ne from a cutback from Ikechukwu Okemmiri. Nigerian striker Alfred Emoefe doubled the lead for Jamal with a placed shot from the middle of the box in the 68th minute. Coach Afusi had earlier hinted that this could be the last match for Alfred with Jamaal. Brothers Union pulled one back when their Brazilian forward Garcia Anderson’s header hit the back of the net.
Tuesday, March 18, 2025
