Sk Russel fight back to grab a point

Sheikh Russel came from two goals behind to secure a draw against Brothers Union in their JB Bangladesh Premier League encounter at the Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni Stadium in Gopalganj yesterday.

Haitian hitman Augustine Walson struck on either side of the break to give Brother the edge over Sheikh Jamal, who came into the match on the back of a five-game unbeaten run, including a 2-0 over Muktijoddha Sangad in their previous match, and they showed character to extend their unblemished run to six matches despite falling behind.

With both teams out of the title race, the teams were focused on consolidating their positions in the 12-team table and the draw helped them to do so. Brothers remain sixth with 23 points from 18 games, while Shiekh Russel are glued to eighth with 20 points from 18 outings.

Sheikh Russel looked the better side in the initial stages of the match, but they conceded against the run of play in the 32nd minute as Walson availed a through ball and burst into the box from the right before dancing past defender Mintu Sheikh and driving a shot past goalkeeper Biplob Bhattarcharjee, whose hand was not strong enough to keep the ball from finding the back of the net.

Brothers had a chance to increase their lead in the dying moments of the first half, but Nigerian Nkowcha Kingsley squandered the opportunity.

After resumption, Sheikh Russel pressed for the equaliser but they were caught out and survived a scare as Biplob brilliantly denied Kawsar Ali Rabbi. However, Walson ensured that Brothers would get that elusive second as he galloped in from the left-flank and beat three defenders before powering a grounded shot home in the 59th minute.

However, it took Sheikh Russel just five minutes to pull one back as Mintu converted from the spot after left-back Nasirul Islam was fouled by Monir inside the box. Ikanga levelled the match with a header off Nasirul's chipped ball into the box in the 75th minute to rescue a point.