Mohammedan Sporting Club’s midfield struggled to find its rhythm on Friday, as the team was forced to settle for a goalless draw against Brothers Union at the Shaheed Bir Sreshtho Matiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj during the Bangladesh Premier League. The absence of their Uzbek midfield stalwart, Muzaffar Muzaffarov, was immediately evident, leaving the defending champions visibly unsettled and contributing to their fourth consecutive game dropping points.
Muzaffarov, a pivotal figure in last season’s title-winning campaign, unexpectedly announced his departure on Thursday, returning to Uzbekistan due to his father’s illness. His sudden exit left a significant void in Mohammedan’s playmaking engine, resulting in a lack of cohesion and attacking threat. Across both halves, the team managed only four meaningful attacks, none of which materialised into a goal.
Mohammedan’s first chance arrived in the 10th minute when Samuel Boateng’s incisive pass found Hafizur Rahman, but Brothers Union goalkeeper Ishaq Akand comfortably held the ball. Towards the end of the first half, Boateng thought he had scored, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside. The second half mirrored the first, with both teams struggling to create clear-cut opportunities. Boateng’s 72nd-minute shot was again denied by Akand, and in the 85th minute, a potential tap-in from a pass by Shafiul Hossain narrowly missed, leaving Mohammedan frustrated.
The club’s recent form tells a concerning story:
| Matches Played | Wins | Draws | Losses | Points | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 10 | Dropped points in four consecutive matches |
| Last Win | 6 Dec vs PWDC | 4–0 | – | – | Most recent victory of the season |
Currently, Mohammedan sits sixth in the league table, just one point behind Brothers Union. Meanwhile, leaders Bashundhara Kings have set the benchmark with 17 points from eight matches. The team’s recent run of draws and defeats has interrupted momentum, highlighting the critical absence of Muzaffarov in midfield.
Without their Uzbek playmaker, Mohammedan now face the challenge of recalibrating their tactics and regaining lost confidence. The team’s immediate focus will be on rediscovering their rhythm and climbing the points table in the upcoming fixtures. Coach and players alike emphasised the need for resilience, as the season’s title race remains open and competitive.