Majid makes his mark
Sports Reporter
Moroccan striker Abdul Majid scored twice on his Dhaka debut as Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra returned to winning ways in the Premier Bank Premier Football League with a 2-0 defeat of Arambagh Krira Sangha yesterday.Russel did not look impressive in the goalless first half inspite of including their third foreigner Majid -- who replaced their top scorer Yusuf -- but a lively performance after the break saw last year's runners-up pull off their second win at the Bangabandhu National Stadium. The victory increased Russel's tally seven and they are now joint third in the standings. On the other hand, Arambagh who snatched their first point in the last round from Abahani, suffered their third loss. Russel, who came to the fourth round game on the back of a draw against Dhaka Wanderers, created three half chances but Majid failed to threaten the rival keeper Shakil on the first two occasions. The best chance came on the stroke of the halftime when Nayan set him up inside the box but Shakil tipped the ball out for a corner. Arambagh earned their lone chance five minutes after the break but Russel custodian Biplab made a fine save at the near post to deny Kenyan striker Dominic, who fired the ball from close after his second attempt off a square pass from Ridon. Majid then broke the deadlock in the 55th minute, the skinny striker tapping in a rebound after Shakil failed to hold on to a scorching 30-yarder by Russel midfielder Nayan. Nayan, who earned a first-team place for the first time, should have scored a couple of minutes later but the midfielder placed a pass from Hanif wide of the open net. Russel did not have to wait long to seal the victory when Majid, shrugging off his marker Ramjan with a through from compatriot Rachid, coolly placed the ball past an outrushing Shakil on the hour mark. Russel dominated the rest of the show and came close to increasing the margin when Nayan unleashed a spectacular left-foot volley from a centre by Hanif but Shakil's reflex parried the shot. Yellow card: Russel (Arambagh). TEAMS
RUSSEL KC: Biplab, Aminul, Deen Mohammed (Jahirul), Pradeep, Mishu, Hanif, Egir, Nayan, Tanvir, Rachid (Yusuf) and Majid. ARAMBAGH: Shakil, Dulal (Monu), Ramjan, Ghansah, Akram, Russel, Imrul, Faisal (Rintu), Dominic, Morshed and Ridon (Nurul). Referee: Abdul Hannan Miron.
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