The Airtel Under-18 Football, comprising the youth teams of the Bangladesh Premier League clubs, got underway with an exciting 2-2 draw between Sheikh Russel and Chittagong Abahani at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.
Chittagong Abahani were almost sure of securing a winning start as they led 2-1 with three minutes of stoppage time to play, but Sheikh Russel forward Masud Rana spoilt their party with a scintillating goal from 35 yards out.
Having the possession from the midfield, Rana unleashed a fierce left footer as the ball kissed the inner edge of the cross post to end up inside the goal.
Earlier, Mohammad Shumon of Chittagong Abahani put his team ahead in the 12the minute with a neat placing only to see Rana restore the scoreline after 10 minutes.
It was Shumon’s second in the 53rd minute that restored the lead for the port city team as a clever chipped through from Munna from the top of the box saw Shumon blast home a cracking left footer.
Team BJMC made a winning start to their campaign as they comfortable beat Muktijoddha SKS 2-0 in the second match of the day.
Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports Arif Khan Joy inaugurated the tournament as the chief guest.
The U-18 team of the champions Sheikh Jamal is not playing in the tournament, thus making it a nine-team affair.
However, Bangladesh Football Federation is yet to take any punitive measures against them. BFF, who initially planned an U-16 tournament, is reportedly double minded about taking any step against Sheikh Jamal, the club that urged to hold the U-18 affair instead.
