Emako spares Russel’s blushes

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Saturday, 04 February 2012

Author / Source : SPORTS REPORTER

DHAKA, Feb 3: A 79th minute strike by Emako from a penalty rescued Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra from an initial disaster in the Grameenphone Bangladesh Premier League when they escaped with a 1-1 draw with the Feni Soccer Club on Friday at the Bangabndhu National Stadium. Feni Soccer Club, who just narrowly avoided the relegation last season, stunned the title contenders Russel taking the lead on the very sixth minute and kept their hopes alive to win the match up to 79th minute before a costly blunder committed by defender Victor.
The encounter between one of the top favourites for the championship and the minnows started on a slow note  but a sudden move down the right side changed the picture of the match, as the attack made a huge trouble for Russel.
Nigerian forward Rowland put Soccer Club ahead. Rowland, the big man, ran faster after receiving a ball from his team captain Lutfur Rahman and edged past defender Aminul and Uttam Kumar before placing the ball into far post over the national goalkeeper Biplob, who just stepped forward to first bar in a bid  to close the gap but the Nigerian was very much sharp to send the ball over him (Biplob) into net (1-0).
The All Blues, trailing by an unexpected early goal before settling down, got back the match control and produced a series of attacks and kept Feni under constant pressure and also created scoring chances but some outstanding saves from Soccer Club’s keeper Masud Alam restricted the Russel to score at least three certain goals. Russel came closer to equalise the margin just three minutes later of conceding the goal on sixth but a Bokula close range effort was denied by the cross piece, as the Nigerian striker having a ball from Imrul Hassan who took a powerful right foot shot that shattered the cross bar.
Five minutes later Russel had another opportunity to square the tally, but this time also keeper Masud denied the attempt of Yamin Munna while he entered into box with a super sprint after controlling a pass from Emako but his (Munna) strong grounder was saved at the cost of a corner.
Russel deprived from having the equaliser just one minute before the short whistle while a Bokula effort from the box hit the side net missing the post narrowly.
Russel went for an all out game in the second half and their efforts paid dividend in the 79th minute. The frenetic Russel went on a strong attack and forced the Feni Soccer to fortify their defence with almost all players were trying to stop the Feni players. Feni’s Mostaba Kaba committed a foul while he tried to halt Emako illegally outside the box. But when the curling free kick of Emako was about to cross the goalline, another Feni Soccer defender, Khoye Victor stopped the ball with his hand and referee Mizanur Rahman, who was standing closely directed to the spot for a penalty. Emako himself converted the spot kick to rescue Russel from an embarrassing position in the very first match on the league (1-1).