BJMC thwart Mohammedan

Faltering giants Mohammedan SC surrendered a lead to be held to a 1-1 draw by Team BJMC in their JB Bangladesh Premier League encounter at Rafiq Uddin Bhuiyan Stadium in Mymensingh yesterday.

Mokhlesur Rahman cancelled out a first-half strike from Towhidul Alam Sabuj in the 73rd minute to deliver BJMC's third draw in four matches. Both teams have three points from four matches but BJMC is ahead of Mohammedan by virtue of better goal difference.

With their previous match ending in a goalless draw with Feni Soccer Club, Mohammedan were aiming to record their first win in their fourth match but they had to settle for another stalemate as BJMC gave the superior side a run for their money. 

Nigerian midfielder Samson Iliasu created a wonderful opportunity for BJMC in the ninth minute with a cutback from the right flank to Sohel Rana, but the former Sheikh Jamal striker wasted the chance. Mohammedan wasted one of their own when in the 21st minute Masuk Mia Jonny taking too much time and allowing defender Baybeck Esaie to clear from inside the box.

In the stoppage time of first half, Sabuj finally broke the deadlock with a nice curving from shot outside the box that gave BJMC goalkeeper Arifuzzaman Himel no chance and Mohammedan went to the break with a 1-0 lead.

After resumption, BJMC regrouped to press for the equaliser and succeeded when Mokhlesur Rahman nodded in a header off substitute Abdullah Parvez to equalise the margin.