Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW
Vol. 4 Num 213 Wed. December 31, 2003  
   
Sports


Western Union Senior Division Football League
D'mondi spoil Reds' day


The draw-syn-drome, which has hit title conten-ders like a naugh-ty virus, struck Muktijoddha Sangsad Krira Chakra yesterday when tiny Dhanmondi Club came from two goals down to hold them 2-2 in a Western Union Premier Division Football League match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.

Having watched Mohammedan Sporting Club, Abahani and Brothers Union all drop precious points in their last round of matches through drawn games, the Reds found themselves in the same boat yesterday but must be ruing conceding the goals to a team that had lost all their previous three outings.

The result left the Federation Cup and National League champions in sixth position in the ten-team league table with five points from four matches. Dhanmondi meanwhile, celebrated their first point of the season.

In an entertaining encounter, midfielder Bidyut gave Muktijoddha a perfect start when he headed home a Rokonuzzaman Kanchan cross from the left (1-0). Just before half time, Kenyan defender Harry appeared to have sealed Dhanmondi's fate when he made it 2-0 by shooting home from a goal mouth melee.

But Dhanmondi had other ideas. In time added on, Aminul headed past his namesake under the Muktijoddha bar Aminul Haque from a Mishu chip (1-2).

Dhanmondi maintained the pressure over their far superior counterparts after the breather who rather surprisingly looked content in defending the slender lead.

The Reds heaved a sigh of relief when Dhanmondi's Ghanaian recruit Kennedy was hauled down inside the D box by Papel in the 57th minute but referee Tayeb Hasan ignored the appeals for a penalty.

But the minnows' enterprise eventually paid off when Kennedy found the net with a brilliant flip-back header from a Maruf freekick in the 68th minute (2-2).

The league will resume at the same venue tomorrow with today's two scheduled matches deferred by 24 hours because of the National Mourning Day. Victoria Sporting Club will face Dhaka Wanderers Club in the first match at 3 pm followed by the second match at 5 pm between Sheikh Russell KC and Arambagh KS.

Yellow cards: Prodeep Barua and wasim (Dhanmondi).

TEAMS

Muktijoddha Sangsad: Aminul, Hasan Al-Mamun, Papel, Harry, Riad, Lajuk, Tushar (Kabir/Tipu), Ghanshah, Bidyut, Moni and Kanchan.

Dhanmondi Club: Ratan, Prodeep, Arman, Mishu, Wasim, Maruf, Aminul, Donald, Kennedy, Bipul and Palash.

Referee: Tayeb Hasan.

Picture
Muktijoddha Sangsad striker Rokonuzzaman Kanchan (R) tries to dodge past a Dhanmondi defender during their Western Union Premier Division Football League encounter at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur yesterday. PHOTO: STAR