Mohammedan thrash Baridhara

Mohammedan Sporting Club saw off relegation contenders Uttar Baridhara in a comfortable 3-0 win in the Bangladesh Premier League at the Shaheed Dhirendranath Datta Stadium in Cumilla on Friday.

Despite the even contest for the majority of the first half, Mohammedan in their home ground took firm control of the match in the second 45.

Mohammedan broke the deadlock in the dying minutes of the first half.

Midfielder Sheikh Morsalin continued to impress as he set up the first goal for his team in the third minute of stoppage time of the first half.

The midfielder, on loan from Bashundhara Kings, started the move on his own. He intercepted a sloppy pass inside their half and needled a through ball to set free Nigerian winger Ugochukwu Obi Moneke, who at first didn’t claim the goal but replays showed he got the final touch to take it past the keeper following a tight challenge by Uttar Baridhara centre-back Saidozton Fozilov.

The black-and-whites doubled their lead in the 70th minute, courtesy of skipper Souleymane Diabate, who netted his 16th goal of the season with a well-directed header.

The Malian striker is now only two goals behind the top-scorer of the league, Chattogram Abahani’s Peter Ebimobowei, who has 18 goals.

As rain descended upon the field, the teams went all out at each other, with Uttar Baridhara making a late surge to get something out of the match.

But they failed to finish their half-chances, which opened the door for another Mohammedan goal.

Ugo scored his second of the match late into stoppage time with an expertly left-footed finish.

The winger took the central position and applied a smart side-footed finish into the far corner, which left the keeper staring in despair.

Mohammedan bagged all three points, leaving them at fifth in the points table with 29 points, while Uttar Baridhara are languishing at 10th with 13.

In the other two matches of the day, Bangladesh Police and Rahamatganj MFS drew 0-0, while Muktijoddha SKC played in a goalless draw against Sheikh Russel KC.