The Dhaka giants, yet to concede a goal in five matches, had scored only twice before their first trip to Chittagong with the goals coming from defensive midfielder Joy and centre-back Nazrul in identical 1-0 wins in their previous matches.

However, the sky-blues' Argentine coach Diego Cruciani was a relieved man after both his foreign strikers broke the duck to inspire their third win.

Abahani raised their tally to 11 points at the start of the sixth week, level with Russel but behind on goal difference. Russel will play their sixth game this week when they face Dhaka rivals Brothers Union.

The local side handcuffed their mighty rivals from the capital in the first half enjoying familiar conditions, a hard ground at the MA Aziz Stadium, which needs regular maintenance and proper care for quality football.

The tourists took time to settle although they had an early chance when Ghanaian attacker Ibrahim, who missed the last match due to a muscle strain, set Emily inside the box. But the out-of-form national striker's effort was foiled by Chittagong goalkeeper Kamal in the fifth minute.

Chittagong Abahani, who fielded a foreigner for the first time, hardly produced any chance in another lacklustre performance that kept them at second-from bottom with three points.

However, the hosts could have had a penalty five minutes before the breather. Liberian debutant Abraham Bobby fell inside the box after a hard tackle by Dhaka Abahani's Argentine centre-back Caporale but referee Ramkrishna Ghosh ignored the appeal from the players and a moderate home crowd.

Argentine striker Parodi finally relieved the visiting tent when he broke the deadlock on the hour with a tremendous drive inside from the box after being set up by Ibrahim.

Fifteen minutes later, Ibrahim frustrated the local crowd with a superb solo when he dodged past three defenders from the right flank before putting an angled shot into the far corner.

"We have the ability but could not prove it on the field. People could not identify Abahani as the team they used to know due to lack of scoring. I am happy that my forwards have finally scored," told Cruciani after the match.

"We have efficient players and I hope they will improve more," he added.

TEAMS
Abahani: Biplab, Siraji, Nazrul, Caporale, Waly, Joy, Ujjal, Abul, Ibrahim (Zahid Parvez), Parodi (Pranotosh) and Emily (Tipu).

Chittagong Abahani: Kamal, Gobinda, Sohel, Dhiman, Mintu, Nurul Islam (Sadhan), Khokan Das, Setu, Jahangir, Jitu and Abraham (Asad).

CTG MSC WIN

Our Sports Reporter adds: Although the sky-blues from the port-city suffered their fourth loss in five outings, their archrivals Chittagong Mohammedan maintained an impressive run with a 2-0 win over Rahmatganj in Dhaka.

The visitors, whose only loss in the competition was a 2-1 defeat to Sheikh Russel in the first round in Dhaka, registered their first win in the capital to take their collection to eight points after five games.

Although the home side looked to fight neck and neck early at the Bangabandhu National Stadium, the tourists turned on the style with pouring attacks but had to remain satisfied with just two goals.

After Dipu wasted a clear cut chance early, Camara Saifoulaye's dazzling run produced the first goal in the 26th minute when the Guinean midfielder dribbled past two rival backs and goalkeeper Apel to place the ball into an empty net.

Rahmatganj got two good chances but Rizvi failed to finish a move on the hour mark while Apu's header on a cross by Milon was saved by Chittagong keeper Tito, who initiated a counter attack to help his side score their second in the 64th minute.

Asif picked the ball in the midfield and the Chittagong captain set Ismail Hossain Zahid, who lobbed Apel from the edge of the penalty area to seal the victory.