Dhaka, Jan 15: Brothers Union halted Sheikh Russel’s winning run in the GramrrnPhone Bangladesh League when the Gopibagh outfit drew 2-2 with the title contenders in the fourth round match at the BSSM Mostafa Kamal Stadium today.

Mohammed Yusuf and foreign recruit Chahrout Youssef put Sheikh Russel 2-0 ahead but they could not keep up the tempo as the oranges came back with goals from Bitcha Richard and Mehdi Hasan Topu either side of the break.

League leaders Russel, with three wins from three games, had to wait 32 minutes to break the deadlock as frontman Yusuf opened the scoring from a rebound after Emrul’s volley came off Brothers defender.

Moroccan striker Chahrout Youssef doubled the lead with a left-footed shot after a through from Cameroonian player Guy Charles. But their joyful time lived just four minutes when Brothers’ Cameroonian striker Bitcha Richard found the net for the first time for his team in the league following a pass from Brazilian Everton Souza Santos.

Brothers leveled in the 64^th minute when Topu tapped after a header by Everton bounced off the cross bar. Brothers created more chances in the second half but luck did not shine on them as a couple of efforts came off the bar.

Russel moved to 10 points to remain on top of the table while Brothers, yet to win, have three points from three draws after a loss in the opening game.

Brothers manager Amer Khan was happy with the player’s performance because their booters found the net after three matches. “I am very happy the way players played today. We didn’t score a single goal in our last three matches. Our striker Richard broke the duck today. It is good thing for us. Topu also scored. Some of our some shots hit the crosspiece. It was bad luck for us but we hope to the play next match against Mohammedan for victory,” said Amer. 

Sheikh Russel coach Liton was also satisfied despite the draw following his side’s comfortable lead. “I am satisfied because in the end, our defence did not play well. But we have injury problems. Our top five players are injured. Besides, our players were tired after a long journey from Cox’s Bazar.”