Despite their impressive win over rivals Dhaka Abahani in the previous match, reigning Bangladesh Premier League champions Mohammedan Sporting Club suffered a surprising setback today. The traditional giants were defeated 2–0 by Fakirerpool Youngmen’s Club at the Shahid Tapan Stadium in Manikganj.
Financial Crisis Impacts Mohammedan’s Performance
Mohammedan ended their 22-year league title drought last season, but the club’s internal problems continue to mount. Due to ongoing financial struggles, they have been unable to build a strong squad or pay the wages of both local and foreign players on time.
One club official admitted,
“𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒚𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒖𝒏𝒔𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆𝒅, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒕’𝒔 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒊𝒆𝒍𝒅.”
Even after the emotional victory over Abahani, the squad did not receive their pending salaries or bonuses. This forced the management and coaching staff to convince the players to take the field against Fakirerpool.
Mohammedan held off their opponents in the first half, but defensive errors cost them after the break. In the 47th minute, a goalkeeper and defensive miscommunication allowed Irfan Hossain to score. Then, in the 61st minute, Ivory Coast forward Ibrahim doubled the lead with a sharp corner-shot inside the box. Mohammedan was unable to mount a comeback.
History Repeats Itself for Mohammedan
Mohammedan’s defeat against Fakirerpool is not entirely unexpected. They also lost to Fakirerpool in the final match of the first leg last season before avenging the loss later. However, this season they have once again stumbled against the same opponent.
A senior team member remarked,
“𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒆𝒂𝒎 𝒊𝒔 𝒇𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒊𝒕𝒄𝒉, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒇𝒇-𝒇𝒊𝒆𝒍𝒅 𝒊𝒔𝒔𝒖𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒉𝒖𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆.”
With today’s result, Mohammedan sit in the relegation zone with 4 points from 4 games. Fakirerpool, who were previously bottom, have now climbed above Mohammedan and Abahani with the same number of points.
Earlier in the day, PWD and Brothers Union played out a goalless draw in Gazipur. Brothers now have 7 points, while PWD stands at 5.
Lack of Coordination From the Federation
There was also frustration regarding communication from the football federation. Even more than an hour after the matches ended, official results had not been sent to the media. Unlike yesterday, no player list was provided before today’s matches, and no updates were posted on the federation’s Facebook page.
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