Sheikh Jamal edge Russel

Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club bounced back from the disappointment of a 3-0 defeat against Rahmatganj MFS in the Federation Cup in midweek with a 3-2 win over Sheikh Russel KC in their Bangladesh Premier League fixture at the Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni Stadium in Gopalganj yesterday.

Cornelius Stewart gave Sheikh Jamal the lead in the 34th minute, much against the run of play, converting from the spot after he was brought down by Yasin Khan inside the box.

Mannaf Rabbi scored four minutes after restart, smashing home Stewart's pass to double the Dhanmondi giants' lead, but former champions Sheikh Russel hit back, thanks to Timur Talipov's brilliant freekick on 70 minutes.

Nodir Mavlonov reinstated Sheikh Jamal's two-goal cushion with a fine finish from goalmouth melee four minutes later. Sheikh Russel, though, hit back again with Mfon Udoh profiting from Sheikh Jamal keeper Rasel Mahmud's mistake to make it 3-2 in the next minute.

However, Sheikh Jamal held on to the slender lead to bag all three points from the match, taking their tally to 11 points from five matches, four behind leaders Bashundhara Kings and equal with Abahani in second position. Sheikh Russel were on six points from four matches.

The other match of the day between Rahmatganj MFS and Fortis FC ended in a goalless draw at the Muktijuddho Smriti Stadium in Rajshahi. Both teams remained on five points, although Fortis played four to Rahmatganj's five.