Mohammedan held by Police, Rahmatganj move up to third

Defending champions Mohammedan Sporting Club Limited extended their winless run in the Bangladesh Football League after being held to a 1–1 draw by Bangladesh Police FC in a Round 11 encounter at the Shaheed Dhirendranath Datta Stadium in Cumilla on Friday.

Police, who came into the match placed fifth in the table, started the game on the front foot and kept the defending champions under sustained pressure from the very beginning.

Their well-organised attacking moves repeatedly tested the Mohammedan backline, forcing the white-and-black defenders to work hard to keep their opponents at bay.

After a series of early attempts, Police finally broke the deadlock in the 39th minute through a penalty. 

Nigerian forward Odo Moses Tochukwu made a penetrating run into the penalty area from the right flank before being brought down from behind by Mohammedan defender Zahid Hasan Shanto.

The referee had little hesitation in pointing to the spot, and Brazilian striker Paulo Santos De Azevedo stepped up to convert the penalty with composure, giving Police a deserved 1-0 lead.

Mohammedan, however, responded quickly and restored parity just three minutes later.

In the 42nd minute, Uzbek midfielder Muzaffar Muzaffarov unleashed a powerful long-range strike from the edge of the box that flew past the Police goalkeeper and into the net, bringing the traditional powerhouse back into the contest.

The equaliser ensured that the first half ended with the score locked at 1-1.

The second half saw both sides create several promising opportunities as they searched for the winning goal, but neither team managed to capitalise on their chances.

Mohammedan attempted to assert more control after the break, while Police continued to threaten on the counterattack.

Despite the intensity of the contest, the deadlock remained unbroken until the final whistle, forcing both teams to settle for a point.

In the day’s other match at Birshreshtha Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium, Rahmatganj Muslim Friends Society produced a dominant performance to defeat Fakirerpool YMC 3-0.

Rahmatganj took control of the match early and went ahead in the first half through Gambian forward Solomon King Kanform, who finished neatly to give his side the lead before the break.

The Old Dhaka outfit continued their momentum in the second half, doubling the advantage through Rafiqul Islam before Ghanaian attacker Ernest Boateng added the third to seal a comfortable victory.

The win lifts Rahmatganj to third place in the league standings with 18 points from 11 matches, having recorded five wins alongside three draws and as many defeats.

Fakirerpool, meanwhile, remain eighth with 10 points as the competition moves deeper into the season.