A brace from striker Mohammad Rony gave Sheikh Russel KC a winning start in the Bangladesh League with a 2-0 win over newcomers Shuktara Jubo Sangsad of Narayanganj at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.
The Narayanganj outfit, however, gave a run for the money to their mighty opponents, who finished third in last season's professional football league. The newcomers, boasting of all local players, rattled the Sheikh Russel crosspiece before squandering a penalty that cost them heavy in their first match in the top-flight meet.
Shuktara Jubo Sangsad got off to an inspiring start when Mehdi Hasan Tapu and Rezaul Karim Liton together launched an attack in the very third minute. Liton struck the woodwork after Tapu was denied by Sheikh Russel goalkeeper Mazharul Islam Himel.
But against the run of play, Sheikh Russel went ahead in the 16th minute from a counter attack as Rony took advantage of a fumble by defender Abul Kashem to let loose a powerful volley inside the box and finding the back of the net after hitting the sidebar.
A few moments later, Shuktara nearly equalised when Tapu, despite staying at a good position inside the danger zone, headed a Liton freekick wide, much to the relief of goalkeeper Himel.
With the inclusion of Brazilian medio Renato Lucas Leite and Moroccan striker Samir Omari, Sheikh Russel looked more organised and almost took advantage on the half-hour mark, but opponent goalkeeper Al Amin foiled efforts from Mobarrak Hossain and Rony.
Before the whistle for the break, Shuktara were awarded a penalty after keeper Himel brought Liton down inside the box, but Shuktara captain, Liton, missed the spot-kick to ruin the chance of coming back in the game.
After resumption, Omari dodged past Shuktara goalkeeper Al Amin to set Rony in front of the open net and the striker did not hesitate to strike his sixth goal of the season to seal the fate of the match.
Sheikh Russel coach Kamal Babu was happy after having made a winning start in the league, but the performance of his charges could not satisfy him.
Kamal's counterpart Riaz Biswas thought the three foreign recruits made the difference.
TEAMS
SHEIKH RUSSEL: Himel (Mamun Khan), Mamun Mia, Zahirul Islam, Aminul Islam, Abass Inusah, Abdullah Parvez, Maruf Ahmed, Mobarrak Hossain, Leite, Rony and Omari.
SHUKTARA: Al Amin, Sohidul Islam, Kaiser Ahmed, Abul Kashem, Robin Hasan, Lition, Jahidul Hasan, Abdullah Rintu (Sujon Ahmed Rizvi), Sohel, Tapu and Saiful Islam Khokon.
Yellow cards: Abdullah Parvez (Sheikh Russel), Abul Kashem (Shuktara)
Referee: Azad Rahman