Sheikh Jamal start campaign with draw

Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club Limited began their campaign with a 2-2 draw with Bangladesh Police Football Club in their first Group A match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in the capital on Sunday in the current season's Walton Federation Cup 2020 curtain-raiser.

In the 51st and 79th minutes respectively, Gambian defender Pa Omar Jobe and his compatriot forward Solomon King Kanform scored one each for Sheikh Jamal. Forward Md Shadin netted one for Police FC in the 10th minute, while Sheikh Jamal defender Md Ariful Islam conceded a suicidal 78th-minute own goal.

After the day's draw, another three-team Group A Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra participating team advanced to the quarterfinals as they defeated Police FC Bangladesh Championship League (BCL) champions by a 1-0 goal in last Thursday's first group match.

Sheikh Jamal got an early blow in the day's match, while police forward Shadin put his side ahead in the 10th minute with a right-footed shot from inside the box (1-0). Sheikh Jamal tried hard to equalize the level after conceding the surprising target but failed to take advantage of their chances.

After half the period, in the 51st minute, Gambian defender Omar Jobe eventually equalized the margin with a close-range right-footed shot from the goalmouth melee (1-1). With attacking football, Sheikh Jamal tried to bring pressure on their lowly rivals, but their local defender Ariful sadly netted a suicidal own goal and gave Police FC a 2-1 lead as he tried to clear the ball in the 78th minute from the goalmouth.

Just one minute later, in the 79th minute, Sheikh Jamal's captain cum forward Solomon King equalized the margin with a right-footer from the danger zone (2-2).