An ever-improving Brothers Union notched up their first win of the

season when they defeated Sheikh Russel KC in their Grameenphone Bangladesh League match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday. Kingsley Chigozie, the Nigerian recruit scored the decisive goal in the 79th minute of the match to inflict the first defeat to Sheikh Russel. The win takes Brothers up to sixth position with five points from five matches while Sheikh Russel remain in third position with eight points from the same number of matches.

The match was contested fairly evenly where chances were few and far between. The first attempt on goal came in the 26th minute when Sheikh Russel striker Anwar Hossain collected a square pass from Yeamin Ahmed and tried to beat the advancing goalkeeper Uttam Barua with a half-shot-half-chip, but the Brothers goalie acrobatically tipped it over the bar to clear the danger. At the other end, Brothers came close to winning a penalty as Chigozie was barged inside the danger zone by Sheikh Russel defender Uttam Kumar Bonik in an off-the-ball incident, but the referee overlooked the incident.

The second half brought changes to both line-ups and it was Sheikh Russel who started the stronger and should have found an opener in the 53rd minute when Bukola played a superb through ball for Yusuf, but the diminutive winger's shot lacked both direction and power. Sheikh Russel forward Anwar was unlucky not to give his the lead in the 73rd minute as his long range effort beat the keeper before it rasped off the post. When it was looking like Brothers' winless start would be stretched, Chigozie scored in the 79th minute to make the difference. Substitute midfielder Jamal Hossain had floated in a cross and the tall Nigerian made good contact with his head to place it at the back of the net.

The Brothers coach Syed Nayeemuddin praised the work ethic of his charges after the first victory in the league. "The opponents were a very good team, but we kept our spirits high. We capitalised on the one good chance we got and that's what made the difference," said the veteran coach.

The losing coach, Maruful Haque blamed the over-confidence of the players and injuries for the defeat.

"After the game against Mohammedan, which we won with ten men, the boys became overconfident which is affecting our

game," said Maruf.

“Four of my vital players — Bukola, Yusuf, Moro Mohammed and Anwar carried injuries and could not train, which is another reason they could not perform according to their ability”, added Maruf.