5-in-5 for Sabuz, Ctg Abahani
National discard Towhidul Alam Sabuz struck for the fifth game running as Chittagong Abahani kept their perfect start to the Bangladesh Premier League intact with a 2-0 win over Rahmatganj MFS at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.
Sabuz and Zahid Hossain scored on either side of the break to put the port city outfit in pole position with 15 points from five matches, five points ahead of Sheikh Jamal DC while Rahmatganj stayed at seven points from five outings.
Chittagong Abahani came into the match with a morale-boosting 3-1 win over Sheikh Russel KC and dominated the show after surviving a scare in the 19th minute. Goalkeeper Ashraful Islam Rana denied Saddam Hossain from a free-kick, keeping the ball out for a corner.
Then Sabuz came close to breaking the deadlock but his weak header failed to trouble Rahmatganj goalkeeper Mohammad Razib, who however could not stop the striker's flick from inside the six-yard box after Zahid whipped in a long ball from the right flank in the 43rd minute.
Abdullah squandered a great chance to double the lead in the 62nd minute by sending the ball wide from the edge of the box before Zahid converted a penalty in the 72nd minute after defender Shariful Islam Sajib handled the ball inside the box.
Sabuz feels there is no magic behind his goal spree; rather he is availing opportunities he gets due to the reduction of foreign players in the league.
“There is no secret of getting goals in every match. I was the top-scorer [eight goals] among local players last season and that is my inspiration. I want to become the top-scorer again,” said the 27-year-old striker.
“Earlier the champion team never fielded local players up front but this time the situation is different due to the reduction of foreign players. If the local strikers get opportunities in starting eleven, I am sure they will score goals,” said the Chittagonian.
Sabuz also believes the strong reserve bench of Chittagong Abahani is forcing them to give their best on the pitch in a bid to ensure places in the starting eleven.
“I feel no pressure to get goals, but I am happy that I can contribute to team's victory. There is still a long way to go and I want to score in every match. However, team's victory is more important for me because every match is vital for the team to become champions,” said Sabuz, who is optimistic about getting a recall from the national team. His last outing for the Red and Greens was against Afghanistan in a friendly match in 2015.
ABAHANI EXTEND SHEIKH RUSSEL'S MISERY
Meanwhile, defending champions Abahani returned to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Sheikh Russel KC. Landing Darboe scored twice – opening the scoring from the spot in the 63rd minute before sealing victory with a header in the 85th minute – as the Sky Blues moved to 10 points from five matches. Sheikh Russel, following three straight defeats, remained on four points.