Mohammedan Sporting Club registered their sixth win in the Bangladesh Premier League Football defeating Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra at the Bashundhara Kings Arena on Saturday.
The traditional Black and White, who came into limelight this season after a long struggle, won the Federation Cup after 14 years (last win in 2009) and kept the momentum in the league with demonstrating some impressive performances.
However, on the day though they had some tough time against Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra, but finally grabbed a comfortable 3-1 win.
After winning the match Mohammedan remained on second position wit 23 points from 11 matches, three points ahead to their arch-rivals Abahani Limited
In the day’s other match Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club shared points with Bangladesh Police FC after a 2-2 draw.
Both the sides got off to an aggressive start but had wait to break the deadlock for more than half an hour and Mohammedan drew the first blood with Soleymane Diabate marked the target from a spot kick.
Sheikh Russel levelled the margin in the injury time of the evenly exchanged first half when Serbian forward Balbanovic converted a penalty. Mohammedan, who had a bit better domination over the Blues could have the lead on 11th minute but a powerful shot of Muzaffarov was brilliantly saved by Mitul Mar Marma.
It was a quick counter attack down the right and Arif provided a cross for the central midfielder of Uzbek who fired a right footer shot but the national custodian Mitul Marma reflected well to punched the ball over the cross piece for a corner.
Right after 10 minutes Russel made a sharp response when Kodai Lida floated the ball inside the penalty box but the Nigerian defender, Atanda Ogunbe and forward Serbian Balanovic, who rushed into the area, could not connect their header.
Finally, Mohammedan took the lead through their captain Soleymane Diabate who successfully converted a penalty. This time a strong right footer of Emmanuel Tony rebounded from goalkeeper Mitul Marma and Diabate attempted to take the ball possession inside the area but Russel defender Sagor pushed him on the ground and referee directed it for spot kick on 37th minute (1-1).
Russel conceding the goal looked desperate to comeback and equaled the margin with Balabanovic converted penalty just at the deep of injury period of the first half when an Emon Babu’s shot was handled by Rakib (1-1).
After a crucial 1-1 opening 45 minutes, both the sides made a fresh start second half and it looked that the match might be settled on draw.
But after the break, it was more convincing performances from Mohammedan and put Russel under pressure and controlled possession and restored the lead on 72nd minute.
Muzaffarov, who had earlier dragged a shot wide from a counter-attacking move, beat the national colour Mitul Marma with a long-range rainbow shot on a cross from Mahmub Alam on 72nd minute(2-1).
Mohammedan kept up the flow of scoring the second goal and increased the margin just five minutes later and this was also a counter move down the right wing and Jafar Iqbal made a cool finish from a hand-shake distance when a Diabate cross found the forward free nearer to the goal-line (3-1).
Russel, though tried hard to make another comeback and also enjoyed better possessions but saw big setback when Sekou Sylla of Guinea had the marching order making a foul inside the area.