Abahani thrash Arambagh
Holders Abahani notched an emphatic 3-0 win over Arambagh KS in their Bangladesh Premier League encounter at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.
Sunday Chizoba, Jewel Rana and Faisal Ahmed Shital scored one goal apiece in the second half to help the Sky Blues raise their points tally to 45 from 18 matches, four behind leaders Bashundhara Kings, who have played one match less than the defending champions.
Coming back from a hard-fought 2-1 away win over Team BJMC, Abahani dominated the Old Dhaka outfit from the outset and play was mostly confined in the Arambagh half as the hosts launched intermittent attacks from both flanks but could not breach the goal.
Abahani, however, came close to breaking the deadlock on the half-hour mark when a poor clearance from Arambagh’s Zahid Hossain came to Sohel Rana, who drove a powerful shot from the edge of the box, only to be tipped over by goalkeeper Mazharul Islam Himel.
Arambagh threatened Abahani with a nice move from winger Ariful Islam, who darted into the box from the left to cut it back for Chinedu Mathew, who was however late to connect with goalkeeper Shahidul Alam Sohel to beat in the 38th minute.
Abahani took the lead in the 48th minute, with Sunday converting a penalty after Jewel was fouled by goalkeeper Himel, who however denied a close-range header from the Nigerian in the 56th minute.
Arambagh came close to levelling the margin in the 62nd minute but captain Rocky frustrated with a miscued attempt from the six-yard box while Sunday and Nabib Newaj Jibon squandered two chances.
However, Jewel made amends to double the lead with a placing shot to the far post in the 86th minute while substitute Shital headed home a cross from substitute Imtiaz Sultan Jitu in the stoppage time to wrap up Abahani’s 15th victory.
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