Arambagh Stun Reds

Arambagh dented Muktijoddha's slender title hopes when they came from a goal down to upset the depleted local giants 2-1 in yesterday's B. League match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.

Alfaz Ahmed put Muktijoddha ahead after 36 minutes with his eighth league goal but the lead was short lived as Iddi Badambuze equalised on the stroke of halftime.

Captain Kallol Kumar Ghosh Zuku then sealed Arambagh's victory early into the second half with a spectacular long-range effort that also helped them take revenge of a 1-0 loss to Muktijoddha in the first leg.

A win would have taken the Reds back to the top of the table but coach Abu Yusuf, without four major players - Rajani, Titu, Saiful and Parvez Babu - in the injury list, were forced to field a weak side.

However, they drew the first blood only to see Alfaz firing the ball straight to Arambagh keeper Piru in the 18th minute after a through from Hassan Al Mamun, who had to switch to leftback in absence of Titu and Parvez.

In the next minute, Zuku came close to score after receiving a square pass from Kenyan striker Nicodemus but the midfielder's shot from the edge of the area was saved by Titumir in his second attempt at the Muktijoddha goal.

In an open battle, Muktijoddha created another chance but Matiur Munna failed to beat Piru's gloves inside from the box in the 32nd minute.

The pressure told four minutes later when ex-national striker Alfaz latched with a right-side centre by Moroccan midfielder Brahim to dodge past rival centre-back Akram and place a left-footer past a helpless Piru.

Iddi scored his fourth goal to score level for Arambagh in the 45th minute when the Ugandan nodded home a cross by Kenyan midfielder Domenic.

Zuku then pulled off a stunner in the 67th minute to give Arambagh the lead when he picked up a headed clearance by Muktijoddha's Ghanaian defender Ghansah near the centre-circle. The longhaired skipper ran down the middle and hammered a pile driver into the back of the net on the trot from 30 yards, giving Titumir no chance to react.

Substitute Kanchan threatened to bring Muktijoddha back when he was set by Moni but the winger only rattled the crossbar to waste their last chance.

Arambagh had a chance to increase the margin six minutes from time but Iddi, who controlled Domenic's freekick, screwed his short over the bar with only Titumir to beat.

Muktijoddha remained on 33 points after 18 games, two points behind current leaders Abahani who have played a couple of matches less. Muktijoddha will play Sheikh Russel and Abahani in their remaining league games.

Arambagh on the other hand, came level with Brothers on 23 points after their seventh win in 17 outings.