Sony Norde failed to convert a penalty at the very late stage as table-toppers Sheikh Jamal were held to a 1-1 draw against Uttar Baridhara in a dramatic Bangladesh Premier League tie at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.
Kenyan striker Collins Tiego gave Baridhara a sudden lead before Sony Norde equalised the margin in the opening half. It was Sony Norde who upset 10-man Jamal by missing a penalty three minutes before the stipulated time and denied his side the chance to extend their gap at the top of the points table. Jamal are still unbeaten in the league with 39 points from 17 games, six ahead of second-placed Abahani.
Despite boasting attacking trio Sony Norde, Emeka Darlington and Wedson Anselme in the starting eleven, Jamal struggled in the initial stages and were unable to create any notable attack. Baridhara shocked Jamal by taking the lead just two minutes later. Khalekur Jamen delivered a curling cross from the left flank which found the unmarked Kenyan striker inside the box. Tiego’s sliding header hit the back of the net.
Jamal, however, came back to the game in the 27th minute when their Haitian international Sony Norde unleashed a powerful strike from 20 yards out which gave Baridhara keeper Osman Gani no chance.
Jamal went all out for the winner in the second half but their situation got worse when Emeka Darlington was sent off in the 80th minute for putting his boot over the Baridhara keeper.
Wedson gave his side a great chance to salvage all three points by earning a penalty in the 87th minute but Sony Norde sent the ball over the crossbar from the spot.
