Another Blow for Reds

Muktijoddha joined Sheikh Russel as B. League's joint leaders but gave away the chance to take solo lead when they were held by Farashganj to a goalless draw yesterday.

The Reds came level with Russel on 27 points after 15 outings but both the sides are in danger of being overtaken by Abahani or Mohammedan pretty soon.

Abahani, who play the last match of the ongoing 16th week today, need to beat their namesakes from Chittagong to move to the top alone as they have 26 points from 13 games.

Mohammedan, resting this week, are also on 26 points but have played one match more than their arch rivals Abahani.

Like Farashganj, their old-Dhaka neighbours Rahamatganj also drew yesterday's match when they shared points with Chittagong Mohammedan away in the port city.

Asif Yusuf opened the scoring for the hosts after 66 minutes at the MA Aziz Stadium in Chittagong but Rahamatganj's Nigerian striker Felix made it 1-1 ten minutes later with his third goal in five matches.

Both Farashganj and Chittagong Mohammedan finished the round with 18 points while bottom-table Rahamatganj raised their collection to nine.

Meanwhile, Muktijoddha once again paid for lack of discipline at the Bangabandhu National Stadium to slump to their second successive draw.

Held by Chittagong Mohammedan 1-1 in the previous round, Abu Yusuf's boys enjoyed superior possession but failed to get beyond an otherwise tight Farashganj defence led by Faisal.

After a quiet first half hour, Muktijoddha won a freekick just outside the penalty box but Matiur Munna failed to keep his shot from the setpiece under the bar.

Shortly before the break, the riversiders got a golden chance when Kutub's through ball split the Muktijoddha backline but Nigerian forward Luxon Puma drove the ball wide inside from the area.

Desperate to gain momentum in the title race, Muktijoddha pressed hard early in the second half but Kanchan, who retained his place in the starting line-up in absence of veteran Alfaz, nodded a cross by Moroccan midfielder Brahim onto the crossbar in the 51st minute.

Titu then let fly a scorching left-footer from 30 yards but the national fullback's effort skimmed the post.

Coach Yusuf made all three changes but it were Farashganj who came close to snatch a win in the last ten minutes.

Robin, who had scored both goals in their 2-2 first-leg draw against Muktijoddha, set Puma with a brilliant pass from the dead-ball line in the 80th minute. However, unmarked Puma's low drive went for a corner off a deflection.

Titumir's legwork then saved Muktijoddha's blushes seconds into the injury time as the goalkeeper cleared Rony's close-range effort on one-on-one.

A corner by substitute Enamul in the rest of the stoppage time raised hopes of full three points for Muktijoddha but Kanchan nodded the ball over in what was the last real chance of the game.