Sk Russel can't stop losing

Sheikh Russel KC coach Maruful Haque banked on his home advantage in hopes of turning the tides of his side's woeful campaign but all for nought as they suffered a 0-2 defeat at the hands of Feni Soccer Club in their JB Bangladesh Premier League match at the Rafiq Uddin Bhuiyan Stadium yesterday.

Having lost all three fixtures in Chittagong as well, Sheikh Russel arrived at Mymensingh two days ahead of the match in a bid adjust to the conditions but luck was not with the big-spenders as they rattled the woodwork twice as well as squandering another three opportunities before conceding two goals during the second half. 

The lads of local boy Maruful, a resident of Mymensigh's Akua area, did everything in their power to win, except score goals, and paid heavily for it as they remain on the bottom of the 12-team table with four straight defeats. This in turn put them out of the title race.

Sheikh Russel, a rare treble winner in the 2012-13 season started nicely, with midfielders Jamal Bhuiyan and Monaem Khan Raju controlling the midfield brilliantly, giving the impression that the losing streak was at an end.

Within half an hour, the two had created four scoring opportunities but compatriots Mintu Sheikh and Shakhawat Hossain Rony scuffed the chances as they headed wide from close range, while Jamal and Rummon Hossain were denied by the crossbar.

The wave of attacks prompted Feni to adopt a counter-attacking strategy which paid off for the charges of Nigerian Ladibaba Lola as they took the lead against the run of play in the 35th minute. Ghanaian Twum Frank was the one to break the dead-lock, with a low driven shot which beat goalkeeper Ziaur Rahman, after availing a poor clearance by Sheikh Russel's defenders outside the box.

After conceding, Russel attacked harder and managed to create two more chances, but failed to avail any of them before Chowmrin Rakhane wrapped up the game for Feni Soccer 10 minutes from full-time. Feni's first victory took them to five points from four outings.

The game was held in front of approximately 2000 spectators, much less than the full-house crowd present during the opening match.