Russian forward helps PWD out of relegation zone

Russian striker Marat Tareck scored a brace as PWD moved out of the relegation zone with a 2-0 win over Brothers Union in the lone Bangladesh Football League fixture in Munshiganj on Saturday.

The 22-year-old, who moved to Bangladesh in the mid-season transfer window, had scored his first goal for his new club in PWD’s last match against Rahmatganj, which the club had won 2-0.

Tareck, playing only his third game in the PWD colours, opened the scoring in the 14th minute with a flick from in front of goal on a cut-back from Mohammed Ratul at the Bir Shreshtho Shaheed Flight Lt Matiur Rahman Stadium.

It took brothers 49 minutes to draw level when Pakistani striker Syhayak Dost scored his sixth goal in five matches – heading home captain Jamal Bhuyan’s cross.

However, Brothers’ Pakistani defender Hayan Khattak made a needless challenge inside the box on PWD’s Sohanur Rahman to gift the opposition a penalty in the 83rd minute. Tareck made no mistake from the spot, beating the Brothers goalkeeper with a soft-but-accurate attempt as PWD registered their third win in 13 matches.

The win took PWD three points clear of the relegation zone, on eighth position with 13 points. Brothers, too, have same number of points but remained in seventh position owing to a superior goal-difference.