Abahani dispense namesakes
Holders Abahani recorded their sixth straight victory in the second leg of the Bangladesh Football League when the hosts handed an effortless 6-2 defeat to their Chittagong namesakes at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.
Abahani's national striker Enamul Haque struck twice while Motiur Munna, Sheriff Din Mohammad, Awudu Ibrahim and substitute Habibur Rahman Shohag netted one goal apiece in the game played at almost half-speed. Shakhwat Hossain Ronny slotted a brace for Chittagong Abahani.
The 17th triumph in 18 outings kept Abahani in the hunt for a hattrick of titles with 52 points, seven ahead of rivals Mohammedan Sporting Club, who have played a match less than the Sky Blues.
Before the start of the game there was a general belief that it would be a cakewalk for Abahani, considering their consistent performance in the league and there was also no slip of that belief as they recorded their biggest victory in the ongoing league erasing the previous best of 5-0 against Muktijoddha Sangsad though they conceded two goals, the same number they had conceded in their previous 17 matches.
However, the holders should give some credit to their rivals' defenders, who could hardly offer any resistance throughout the game and some termed it as the most 'fair-play game' in the ongoing professional football league.
Referee Azad Rahman could hardly whistle for fouls as both sides played the game at a snails pace and the coaches of both sides spent the full 90-minutes sitting on the players' tent.
After missing some easy chances in the initial moments, Abahani struck goals one after another to end the first half with a 4-0 lead and spectators from north-west gallery, known as Mohammedan gallery, shouted towards the Abahani players that they did not come to watch a 'compromised match.'
However, the scenario was fully reversed at the south-west gallery, known as Abahani gallery, with a few hundred spectators uttering their wraths towards their beloved players for squandering chances. Interestingly, neither players nor spectators could celebrate after a goal.
Enamul Haque put Abahani ahead in the 18th minute before Matiur Munna doubled the margin nodding a Mehdi Hasan Ujjal cross home in the 36th minute. Five minutes from time, Sheriff struck his league 13th goal to join top-scorers Mohammedan's Zahid Hasan Emily and Sheikh Russel's Samad Omari. In the stoppage time of the first half, striker Awudu drove a grounder to the near post past the Chittagong goalkeeper.
After resumption, the ball was mostly confined to the midfield and both sides struck two goals each in the last 20 minutes. Chittagong striker Ronny pulled a goal back in the 70th minute while illustrious striker Enamul struck his league's 12th goal in the 85th minute for Abahani.
One minute later, Ronny again found the back of the opponent net with a superb right-footer and Abahani's substitute Shohag sealed the match three minutes from time through a curling free kick from the left.
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