Chittagong Abahani take solo lead

Chittagong Abahani took the solo lead in the Bangladesh Premier League with a 2-0 win over Brothers Union as the eighth round got underway at the Bangabandhu National Stadium following heavy showers yesterday afternoon.

Siyo Zunapio's own goal late in the first half was followed by a sixth goal of the league from top-scorer Tawhidul Alam Sabuz as the early pace setters moved to 22 points from eight matches.

The port city side came into the match on the back of a 1-0 win over Muktijoddha, but they were made to work hard on a waterlogged surface by Brothers, who have had a wretched run in the league so far, with only five points in the bag.

However, the Chittagonians came close to taking the lead in the 17th minute when Sabuz's right-footed shot from the left corner of the box went inches over. The cash-rich outfit took the lead in the 39th minute, albeit in fortuitous fashion as Mamunul Islam's long free-kick met a weak clearance from Brothers defender Ashraful Karim before hitting Zunapio head's and  bouncing into the net.

Sabuz confirmed the victory in the 81st minute, grabbing his sixth goal of the campaign, with a simple tap-in following a cross from Mansur Amin.

The other scheduled match of the day between Abahani and Muktijoddha will be played today at 6:00pm.