Muktijoddha

Sangsad suffered a big Mow in their Premier Division football league camnnltfH when

Brothers Union held them to a goalless draw in their return leg clash at the Mlrpur Stadium yesterday.

In an eye-soring affair, both teams apparently remained contained within the midfield for most of the time and left the ground with a point each.

It was the third draw for Muktis .against ten wins and a defeat which reduced their four-point lead over holders Mohammedan Sporting Club and last year's runners-up Abahani Krira Chakra to just two points as they raised their tally to 33 points on completion of their 14th outing Mohammedans and Abahani have 31 points each from 14 matches.

On the other hand, for Brothers, it was their fifth draw against six wins and three defeats. They now have 23 points from 14 matches which Keeps them in the fourth place. Muktijoddha beat Brothers by a lone goal in the first leg.

Back to the match. Muktis. who missed the services of their Nigerian midfielder Allyu Rahman who was under a one-match suspension failed to impress the few hundred crowd with their poor brand of soccer.

The only chance they produced in the first session was in the 38th minute when defender Jewel Rana, after a brilliant run through the left flank, crossed the ball to an unmarked Rakib inside the danger area. But the national midfielder seemed out of mind as he failed to take control of the ball.

Brothers put some pressure early In the second half and was unlucky not to go up when Swa-S>an headed on a Asad cross rom the right side only to see Mukti custodian Arun making a great save punching the ball for a corner diving on his right. After surviving the close call, Muktis came back in the match with a series of attacks but all the creative works by the midfield went into vain because of poor finishing up front.

Yellow card: Arun (Muktijoddha). Govinda and Mintu (Brothers Union)

TEAMS

MUKTIJODDHA SANGSAD: Arun. Hasan-al-Mamun. Ra

Jani, Jewel Rana. Tito, Masood Rana. Iqbal. Gaus. Rakib. Munna (Reaz) and Naklb.

BROTHERS UNION: Saidur. Govinda. Chanchai. Swapan, Shilpi. Shameem. Yousuf. Amer Khan. Asad. Mintu and Ripon.

Referee: Tazul Islam.

EAST END, BRTC SPLIT POINTS

Away at the Army Stadium, the First Division encounter between East End Club and BRTC Sports Club ended in a 1-1 draw.

Sudhir put BRTC ahead in the sixth minute while Mustafiz equalised for East End in the 29th minute.

With the draw. East End remained atop the table having raised their tally to 26 points from 14 matches while BRTC remained in the fourth spot with 23 points.