Mohammedan end first phase with stalemate

 
Mohammedan Sporting Club drew a blank at the turn of the New Year as they were held to a goalless draw by Brothers Union on Friday, bringing the first phase of the Bangladesh Football League to a close with dropped points on Friday. 
Playing at the Bir Sreshtha Shaheed Flight Lt Matiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj, Alfaz Ahmed's men took the field without Uzbek midfielder Mozaffarov and found themselves frustrated despite fashioning several presentable chances. In a contest where both sides had opportunities to seize the initiative, neither could find the decisive touch, leaving honours even at the final whistle.
Mohammedan came close as early as the 10th minute when Samuel Boateng's pass picked out Hafizur Rahman, but Brothers goalkeeper Ishak Akond was alert, smothering the ball just before the forward could apply the finishing touch. Five minutes later, Brothers thought they had drawn first blood through Anjan Bista, only for the linesman's flag to cut short the celebrations for offside.
The pattern repeated itself late in the first half. Boateng found the net in the 43rd minute, but once again the referee's whistle intervened, ruling the effort out for offside and ensuring the deadlock remained intact at the break.
After the interval, Mohammedan pressed with renewed intent. In the 72nd minute, Boateng unleashed a rasping low drive from a crowded area, but Ishak stood firm, keeping it out with his feet. Brothers then squandered a gilt-edged opportunity in the 79th minute when Mohammedan goalkeeper Sujan Hossain strayed well off his line. Despite beating the keeper, Marcos Rudwe and Eric Bista both failed to convert, much to the relief of the black-and-white faithful.
Late chances fell Mohammedan's way. Shafiul Hasan fired wide in the 82nd minute, and three minutes later Boateng narrowly missed connecting with a teasing diagonal pass that might have settled the contest.
The draw marked Mohammedan's third consecutive stalemate in the league. With 10 points from nine matches, they sit sixth in the table at the halfway stage, while Brothers Union remain close behind in seventh, just a point adrift.