Spirited Brothers hold Abahani

Abahani's Nigerian striker Lucky Paul (L) tries to dribble past a Brothers Union defender during their Grameenphone Bangladesh Premier League match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday. Photo: STAR

Brothers Union continued their impressive run in the Grameenphone Bangladesh Premier League as the All Oranges held defending champions and league leaders Abahani to a 1-1 draw at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.
Nigerian striker Lucky Paul put Abahani ahead in the very sixth minute -- his second goal in two matches – with a placing shot after Cameroonian midfielder Yoko Samnick had provided the ball.
But the lead lasted only 17 minutes as Brothers Union's Nigerian midfielder Adam Jankasa tapped in from close range in the 23rd minute. Jankasa had ran to an unmarked position when Abahani goalkeeper Shahidul Alam Shohel parried a powerful shot from Brazilian forward Garcia Anderson towards him and the Nigerian made no mistake on the rebound.
Brothers Union held the upper hand since and twice came close to taking the lead before the break while Abahani re-organised to launch some attacks after the resumption but could not break the Brothers backline.
Abahani almost snatched the victory in the first minute of stoppage time when Paul availed a backheel from Samnick and chipped the ball over advancing goalkeeper Piaruzzaman. But Brothers defender Khan Sharif made an incredible save from the goalline to save the day for the champions.
Despite a third draw in 11 matches, Abahani remained on top with 24 points, two ahead of Sheikh Russel KC and Sheikh Jamal DC, who have 22 points. However, the lead might be overtaken today when Sheikh Russel take on Mohammedan and Sheikh Jamal play away to Muktijoddha Sangsad today.
In the day's first match, Ajagun Abdul Rasheed struck twice inside two minutes to guide Team BJMC to a 2-1 win over bottom-of-the-table Feni Soccer Club.
Their fourth win put BJMC on fifth position with 15 points from 11 matches, level with Muktijoddha Sangsad even though the freedom fighters' club are ahead on goal difference. Feni remained firmly in the lone relegation position after their sixth in a row, with just three points from ten matches.
BJMC were determined to win the game and deservedly scored two goals within the first quarter, thanks to Rasheed who scored in the 12th and 14th minutes respectively before Aminur Rahman Sajib pulled one back for Feni in the 75th minute. BJMC had to sustain some nervy moments after conceding the goal and the departure of goalkeeper Aminul Haque thorough an injury made matters worse for them. With two minutes remaining to regulation time and all three substitutions having been made, BJMC had to resort to their two-goal scorer Rasheed to stand under the goal. The Nigerian held firm for the remaining time to help his side win all three points.