Badda bite Abahani

Braving the chilly wind of a very cold winter evening, girls take part in a colourful display during the opening ceremony of the Protiti Pharma Club Cup football tournament at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.Photo: STAR

B. League champions Abahani got off to a wretched start to the new season when they crashed 1-0 to Senior Division side Badda Jagarani in the opening match of the Protiti Pharma Club Cup football tournament yesterday.
Before a meagre 1,000 spectators, a freezing and dank evening at the Bangabandhu National Stadium turned nightmare for the professionals from Dhanmondi, who failed to make any impact even after conceding an early second half goal.
Two minutes after the break, Badda striker Milon capitalised on a defensive lapse between rival defenders Nazrul and Siraji to sneak inside the box before coolly placing a low left-footer into the near post of Biplab at the Abahani goal.
With a starting line-up featuring ten current and ex-Bangladesh internationals, everyone anticipated a fightback from the sky-blues who otherwise dominated the first half.
But even three changes by coach Amalesh Sen in the last half hour made no impact on Badda's lead.
Badda, among the top five in the ongoing Senior Division League, have suffered two defeats so far but their integrity was much better than the disoriented Abahani booters, who created only a half chance to equalise in the dying moments.
But Abul's header from a melee was brilliantly punched over by goalkeeper Nehal for a corner.
In the first half, Abahani enjoyed superior ball possession but it were their rivals who opened up the first real chance after 18 minutes. But skipper Mintu's sidevolley was off target after Nasir broke down the right.
A low drive by Pranotosh eight minutes later ran wide after beating Badda keeper Nehal, who made a diving save to deny Emily's glancing header on a cross by rightback Siraji on the half hour -- the best chance of the game for the local giants.
Abahani's guest attacker Robin then picked up Tipu with a cheeky chip but the veteran, having raced past Nehal, shot the ball onto a defensive wall from a tight angle minutes later.
Abahani came alive in the last five minutes but Tipu's first attempt, a low header on a left-flank cross, missed the far post before the striker was denied by Rashed inside the sic-yard box.
Abahani's hopes to take the lead was dashed again when Emily's long range drive kissed the upper side of the crossbar in the 44th minute.
To ensure a place in the semifinals from the group, Abahani now must beat Dhaka Wanderers in their next match as well as contenders Muktijoddha Sangsad.
Earlier, organiser Mohammedan Sporting Club's efforts to stage a gala opening party for the eight-team meet was spoiled due to inclement weather as the performers carried out their tasks before
almost empty stands.
After physical displays and 'circus' shows featuring motorbike rides and masked walkers, young boys who took part in the march past were visibly shaking from the cold.
The colourful folk dance also failed to heat the inhospitable conditions before Mahbub Jamil, special assistant to the Chief Adviser of the Caretaker Government, declared the event open.
Yellow cards: Joy, Abul, Sujan (Abahani)
TEAMS
Badda: Nehal, Rashed, Russell Jr (Russell Sr), Hafiz, Apu, Komol, Sohag, Nasir, Mintu, Milon (Bikash) and Rana (Al Amin).
Abahani: Biplab, Siraji, Sujan, Nazrul, Wali, Ujjal, Joy, Pranotosh (Parvez), Robin (Tapu), Emily and Tipu (Abul).
Referee: Azad Rahman.