Abahani topple Ctg MSC
Abahani midfielder Emeka Christian, who scored the side's match winner against Chittagong Mohammedan, shoots to hit the bar during their Citycell B. League match at the Chittagong MA Aziz Stadium yesterday.Photo: STAR
Chittagong Mohammedan's unbeaten home run in the Citycell B. League came to an end when the local giants suffered a solitary goal defeat to defending champions Abahani from Dhaka here yesterday.
Nigerian midfielder Emeka Christian separated the two sides after 20 minutes at the MA Aziz Stadium, where a 5,000-strong crowd enjoyed the keenly contested 12th round match of the league.
The Sky-Blues, who had won the first-leg match in Dhaka 2-0, remained atop the table with 26 points after eight wins while Chittagong Mohammedan stuck to 17 points after their overall third loss.
Both the sides looked attacking from the very beginning and kept the holiday crowd warm on a chilly afternoon with a lively match.
Chittagong Mohammedan got a golden chance in the 16th minute when Towhidul capitalised on a defence lapse to race inside the rival area but he fluffed the opportunity, allowing Biplab to rush out of the Abahani goal and clear the ball.
The visitors went ahead four minutes later when Emeka, now sharing the league's top-scorer's position along with Sheikh Russel's Alfaz Ahmed and Rahmatganj striker Idris Kasirye, utilised a through-pass from Emily. Having controlled the pass well inside the penalty area, the Nigerian made no mistake to slam home near from the penalty spot.
Emeka was close to double the margin minutes later but his left-footed low drive from 15 yards hit the woodwork to keep the hosts in the game.
The local side, who had their Guinean captain Saifo Camara sent off in the second-half injury time for a second bookable offence, created chances but their forwards lacked the cutting edge.
And they lost tempers that saw Camara receive an early first booking. In the end, the midfielder got his second yellow card for a foul on Abahani's Ghanaian defender Samad Yussif. Camara, who was behind most of the Chittagong chances, will miss their next match against Rahmatganj.
Abahani had skipper Nazrul back in the side after a long-lay off due to injury and Amalesh Sen's midfield seemed to shrug of the lethargic display they showed in a dull goalless draw against Farashganj in the last round as Mamun, Joy and Ibrahim were busy creating chances for the strikers. Their return of form should be a cause for worry for the other title contenders.
The home side, desperate to equalise, went on the offensive after the break but failed to materialise the chances. Even hard working defender Dhiman was rushing near the Abahani goal often to inspire forwards Raphael and Chowmrin but Abahani held on to the slim lead as Biplab kept his cool against constant shooting.
TEAMS
ABAHANI: Biplab, Obaidur, Samad, Nazrul, Waly, Abul, Mamun, Joy (Pranotosh), Emeka, Ibrahim and Emily.
CTG MOHAMMEDAN: Mamun, Pradip, Shawkat, Dhiman, Sharif, Camara, Masud, Anthony (Daulat), Towhidul (Chowmrin), Ridon and Raphael.
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