By Sheahan Bhuiyan
A scintillating performance from Ismail Bangoura ensured Mohammedan Sporting Club cruising to a 5-0 victory over Rahmatganj Muslim Friends Society in the 2015 Manyavar Bangladesh Football Premier League at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.
The Guinean forward carried on his rich goal scoring form, scoring two goals within 26 minutes before rounding off a fine hattrick in the 87th minute. Bangoura, who scored 15 goals last season with Team BJMC, is now second in the scoring charts with eight goals behind leader Walson Augustin of Brothers Union on nine goals.
The win comes on the back of consecutive 1-1 draws for MSC and brings their points total to 17 from nine games played, putting them in third place behind second placed Sheikh Russell (19 points) and leaders Sheikh Jamal (23 points). Rahmatganj on the other hand is now languishing in the bottom half of the table with 8 points from nine games.
This performance will no doubt give a timely boost to MSC ahead of their crucial clash next round against eternal rivals Abahani FC, also on 17 points but behind on goal difference. If beating your arch-nemesis does not provide enough incentive, there is also the necessity to close the gap on Sheikh Jamal, who are 6 points ahead, having played one extra game.
MSC was dominant from the start and their pressure paid off in the 23rd minute when a long ball towards the far post was headed by winger Jewel Rana towards the path of Bangoura, who showed fine composure to control the ball on his chest before unleashing a volley into the back of the net past Rahmatganj goalkeeper, Al-Amin.
Bangoura and MSC doubled their lead just three minutes later when he met Nurul Naim Faisal’s cross and guided the ball into the goal with a solid header. Jewel Rana, already with an assist, got himself on the score sheet with a belter on the 30th minute to make it 3-0 on the night. The winger, who has earned a call up to the preliminary national squad, fired home from the left side of the box with a powerful strike, giving keeper Al-Amin no chance.
MSC started the second half in the same manner as the first, pegging Rahmatganj in their own box. There was a sense that MSC could score at any point and sure enough, in the 74th minute, number 10 Tawhidul Alam Sabuz made it 4-0 with a header from Arup Baidya’s low cross.
The rout was completed in the 87th minute when Bangoura sealed his hattrick and MSC’s fifth with an easy tap in after great work from substitute winger Mobarak Hossain Bhuiyan who cut the ball back into the Guinean’s path.