Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club took the solo lead in the points table of the Bangladesh Premier League after an exciting 3-2 win over Brothers Union at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Wednesday.
Farashganj Sporting Club received boost in their bid for avoiding relegation when they recorded a crucial 3-0 win over Rahmatganj Muslim Friends Society in the other match of the day.
Jamal’s attacking duo—Raphael Odoyin of Nigeria and Solomon King of Gambia—exhibited another brilliant performance to help their side secure their 13th win in 18 matches that took their tally to 43 points, one point clear of Chittagong Abahani and Abahani Limited.
Raphael scored a brace and Solomon netted the other goal for Jamal while Congolese forward Siyo Zunapio and substitute forward Bisal Das scored apiece for Brothers.
Brothers with their ninth defeat of the league remained on eighth position with 15 points.
Solomon gave Jamal an early five-minute lead when his header found the back of the net following a cross of Javed Khan from right flank.
Raphael doubled the lead in the 44th minute. Receiving a cross from Nurul Absar from the left flank, the Nigerian forward coolly sent the ball home past Brothers’ keeper Sujan Chowhdury.
Brothers reduced the gap in the added time of the first-half when Congolese forward Zunapio converted from spot after he was brought down by Anisur Rahman inside the box.
Raphael, however, restored the two goals cushion for Jamal in the 78th minute when he volleyed home from six-yard box after Solomon provided him with a neat cross from right.
It was the 15th goal for Raphael, the highest scorer of the league so far.
Bishal Das scored second goal for Brothers in the 81st minute.
Meanwhile, Farashganj secured their third win of the league, thanks one goal each from Minhajul Abedin, Chinedu Mathuki and Mahmudul Biswas Munna.
The result meant both Farashganj and Rahmatganj earned equal 13 points to share the bottom place.