Abahani go top

Abahani striker Lucky Paul cuts inside the challenge of two Sheikh Russel players during their Bangladesh Premier League match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday. Photo: STAR

Abahani survived a late spot-kick to go top of the points table when they handed a single goal defeat to Sheikh Russel KC in their Bangladesh Premier League encounter at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.
Substitute striker Shakawat Hossain Rony struck early in the second half before goalkeeper Mohammed Al Hasan saved the late penalty to take the Sky Blues to the top of the table, one point clear of Muktijoddha Sangsad who are now in second position with 13 points from six matches. Sheikh Russel remained in third position on goal difference with eight points from six outings.
In the absence of suspended Ghanaian midfielder Awudu Ibrahim, Abahani gave Ghanaian goalkeeper Mohammad Al Hasan a chance in the eleven keeping first-choice keeper Shohidul Alam Sohel at the bench and the Ghanaian justified his inclusion by saving the penalty kick from Alamu Bukola five minutes from time.
Abahani had to toil hard though to post their fifth victory as they struggled in the midfield without Ibrahim and were hardly able to penetrate the Sheikh Russel defence. However, they managed to capitalise on one of the two chances they created as Rony, who came in as a substitute in his first match of the season, scored the decisive goal with a spectacular diving header in the 54th minute.
Sheikh Russel, on the other hand, were unlucky as they rattled the crossbar once and let the penalty kick go begging to break the streak of defeats.
Sheikh Russel's Nigerian striker Kondaponi Naftali made the first rousing move in the 14th minute as he entered the Abahani box from the left, only to hit the crossbar. Abahani came close in the 42nd minute with Lucky Paul sending a Nasirul Islam lob wide off the target when all he needed was to control the ball with only the goalkeeper to beat.
After resumption, Abahani coach Ali Akbar sent on Rony in place of winger Zahid Hossain and it proved a masterstroke as Rony dived to head in a cross from Lucky Paul past Sheikh Russel goalkeeper Biplob Bhattacharjee to open the scoring.
Abahani could have gone further ahead but Paul again squandered an opportunity in the 83rd minute when he shot wide from close-range. However, Abaahni gave Sheikh Russel the lifeline two minutes later when Wali faisal pulled down Alamu Bukola inside the box.
Bukola himself stepped up to take the shot but Abahani keeper Al Hasan was up to the task as he dived to the left to stop the shot and earn three valuable points for his team.