Jamal break Russel hearts in extra time

Dhaka, August 8: An extra time goal from Nigerian forward Solomon King helped Sheikh Jamal beat Sheikh Russel 2-1 in the Saif Power Battery Bangladesh Premier League 2017 at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Tuesday.

Sheikh Jamal took the lead in the 8th minute of the match off an well anticipated header from their Gambian forward Mamadou Bah. Rightly running towards a dipping corner curved by Enamul Haque, the Gambian headed the ball past Russel goalie Ziaur Rahman (1-0).

Khalekuzzaman Sobuj, the hardworking midfielder of Sheikh Russel restored the parity in the 37th minute with an outstanding strike. Receiving a lob of skipper Shahedul Alam at the top of the box, Sobuj made a horizontal run past defenders and turned around before unleashing a fierce left footer at the far post net (1-1).

Ten minutes after the lemon break, Jamal came close to take the lead again. Mamadou Bah sped down the right flank before cutting a neat cross to his Nigerian attacking partner Rafael Onwrebe who fell a couple of yards short of tapping the ball inside the post.

Russel also sent chill down the Jamal spine in the 60th minute with an eye-catching attempt. Running through the midfield, Russel’s Nigerian forward Dawdah Ceesay took a superb back volley on a cross of Bishwanath that flew past the side post.

But with just seconds left till the final whistle, substitute Solomon, who took the field in the place of Rafael, hit the far post net with a precise left footer (2-1).

Both the teams wasted a few chances in either half of the match but it was Solomon who made all the difference.

Jamal now have nine and Russell have four points with both playing three matches.