Abahani's Ghanaian Awudu Ibrahim (R) controls the ball with chest during their Bangladesh League clash against Brothers Union at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.Photo: STAR

A late strike from substitute Motiur Munna helped holders Abahani defeat Brothers Union in the Bangladesh League encounter at Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.
The outcome not only let the Sky Blues maintain their winning streak but also extended their unbeaten run to 20 matches, of which 11 matches came in the second edition of the league last season.
With nine straight victories, Abahani raised their point tally to 27, three points ahead of rivals Mohammedan, who with 24 points from eight outings take on third-placed Sheikh Russel KC today.
After a seven-week break following the national booters' engagement in the SA Games as well as AFC Challenge Cup final, the professional football league got underway yesterday and it was hard to understand which teams were playing under the floodlight at an almost empty stadium.
Though both coaches had promised to show an attractive game the day before the battle, there were no signs of that type of performance on the pitch and the ball was mostly confined to the midfield.
However, Abahani were better, compared to a depleted Brothers Union, who took to the field for a point after two successive defeats to Beanibazar and Mohammedan SC in their previous two games.
The first half was almost actionless though Abahani got a good chance after 15 minutes when Ghanaian Sheriff Din Mohammedan took the ball over the head of defender Yousuf Ali Khan to enter the danger zone with goalkeeper Iran to beat, but the Brothers goalkeeper frustrated the league's second-highest scorer Sheriff fisting the ball away after coming out from his goal.
Sheriff then provided a fine ball for his compatriot Awudu Ibrahim, who tested his luck from outside the box only to see his powerful drive drifting away past the sidebar just before the break.
Abahani coach Amalesh Sen sent on medio Motiur Munna in place of striker Sheriff to establish control in the midfield, but the veteran had little impact on the game until he struck his season's first goal to rescue Abahani from the blues.
Winger Zahed Parvez put a low ball from the right and Munna drove a harmless grounder that found the back of the net 10 minutes from time after striker Enamul had failed to collect that cross from close in.
"We struggled to find the combination in the game because the players were out of the game for a long time. However, it was a relief for us as we got full three points," said Sen adding that he had found no urgency from the players.
Despite losing the game, Brothers Union coach Wasim Iqbal was happy for the way his charges performed and thought Abahani won the game as a better side.
TEAMS
ABAHANI: Biplob, Sujan, Rajani, Mishu, Zahed, Pranotosh, Mehdi Hasan (Shahedul), Enamul (Abul), Samad Yousuf, Awudu Ibrahim and Munna (Sheriff).
BROTHERS UNION: Iran, Tofazzal, Ripon, Yousuf Khalilur (Sabuj), Lutfur, Enock Bentil, Steven Kwest, Murad (Didarul), Tanmoy and Shawkat.
Yellow cards: Awudu and Sujan (Abahani), Enock and Steven (Brothers).
Referee: Shahidul Islam Lalu.