Competitive football returned to the premier venue of the country after one and a half years with the Group C match but hardly a thousand fans turned up. The quality of football was another big let down especially for those who have been privileged enough to watch the Champions League classic between Barcelona and Chelsea and the wizardry of the incomparable Ronaldinho the night before.

Nisa, who had only reached Dhaka on Tuesday afternoon with just 12 players, were more interested in holding on to an early lead from captain and Turkmenistan international Urazov Gylych. Despite dominating the first half, their tired legs began to tell after the breather and they should be the happier of the two sides at the end of the match as Brothers fluffed the opportunity to earn full points with a missed penalty in the second half.

The first chance fell to Nisa when Urazov raced past Brothers fullback Masud Rana in the third minute but placed the ball wide of keeper Ali. But Urazov made no mistake as he pounced on a gaffe by Brothers goalkeeper Mohammed Ali 14 minutes later.

The diminutive Ali hesitated to come forward to intercept a high ball from winger Murad from mid-pitch and allowed the ball to take a wicked bounce and fall to the feet of an unmarked Urazov who helped it into the open net.

Brothers' young right fullback Siraji tested Shamudarov with a long range shot on the half-hour but Nisa goalie Shamudarov dived full stretch to his right to parry the shot for a corner.

The Gopibagh outfit pressed hard but their Russian striker Edward was denied a single shot on goal by a tight rival defence. However Brothers' relentless pressure in the second half was almost rewarded six minutes from time. Nisa defender Evgeniye tripped Masud Rana inside the box and the

referee awarded a penalty. But Shamudarov spectacularly tipped Moroccan recruit Inani's rising shot from the spot over the bar.

Brothers coach Wazed Gazi sent midfielder Monwar on for Siraji with the seconds ticking away. It proved an inspirational substitution. Just after the missed penalty, Monwar tested Shamudarov with a rasping volley with his first touch on the ball. Shamudarov half blocked the attempt but Brothers' newcomer Khokon, a prolific scorer for Abahani over the last few seasons, was on hand to tap in the rebound from close range.

Nisa coach Boris Grigoryans, who has been associated with the club for ten years said he was happy to return with one point from the away match.

"I am happy that my players held on to a draw despite being very tired. We almost came out with full points but the long journey took its toll," said Grigoryans.

"We had four national players but they could not play their natural game and Brothers proved to be a good side," he added.

Replying to the question why they had brought only 12 footballers, Grigoryans said it was due to the club's financial problems.

Brothers coach Wajed Gazi admitted that the first goal put them on the backfoot.

"It happens in football sometimes and I think Ali was deceived by the bounce and movement of the ball," said Gazi.

He also admitted that his boys could not take the advantage of the exhausted rivals due to lack of quality strikers. Brothers play their next match against Nijmeh FC of Lebanon on March 16 in Beirut.

Yellow cards: Khokon (Brothers) and Nazar, Rasif, Aleksey, Darov (Nisa).

TEAMS
Brothers Union: Ali, Siraji (Monwar, 84th minute), Shuvra, Sujan, Masud Rana, Pranotosh (Liton, 42nd), Inani, Parvez Babu, Edward (Emily, 80th) and Khokon.

Nisa FC: Shamudarov, Nazar, Evgeniye, Vugar, Guvanch, Rasif, Darov, Aleksey, Murad, Artur and Urazov (Kamil, 89th).

Referee: Mombini Hedayet (Iran).