Abahani’s hopes all but over
Defending champions Abahani’s slim chances of retaining the Bangladesh Premier League title all but extinguished after they twice threw away the lead in a 2-2 draw against Chittagong Abahani at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.
The Dhanmondi giants came into the match following postponement of the match between league leaders Bashundhara Kings and Mohammedan in Nilphamari, which saw rain and thunder put an end to day’s play after just four minutes. With that game to be played today, Abahani had their chance to get to within one point of Bashundhara Kings. But they failed to bag all three points despite dominating Chittagong Abahani.
Abahani came close to breaking the deadlock in the 44th minute, but Mamun Mia’s shot was kept well out by Chittagong Abahani goalkeeper Mohammad Nehal.
The goalkeeper denied Nabib Newaz Jibon at the start of the second half while Kervens Belfort saw his shot go wide of the target. However, Nehal was helpless in the 64th minute against an effort from Mamun, which took a deflection off a Chittagong Abahani defender.
Mamun then turned into villain as he brought down an opposition player inside Abahani’s danger zone 11 minutes later, with Daniel Tagoe netting the equaliser from the spot.
Chittagong Abahani came close to taking the lead in the 77th minute, but Koushik Barua’s shot came off the crossbar.
Jibon restored Abahani’s lead in the 80th minute following a throw-in from Raihan Hassan, but as the Dhanmondi giants were looking to snatch all three points, Nkwocha Chogisu sank them with a strike from a goalmouth melee into the stoppage time.
The draw saw Abahani move to 55 points from 23 matches, with only one game in hand.
Bashundhara Kings, meanwhile, have 58 points from 21 matches which means a point from one of the three remaining matches will ensure them of their debut title.
In case Bashundhara lose all three matches while Abahani win their last match, the two teams will be equal on points and the title will be decided through a play-off.
Sheikh Russel wallop Muktijoddha
Sheikh Russel KC continued their resurgence in the latter stage of the league with a 6-1 thumping of Muktijoddha Sangsad at the Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni Stadium in Gopalganj.
Valerie Gryshyn and Raphael Odoyin bagged a brace each while Alison Udoka and Biplu Ahmed scored one apiece for Sheikh Russel, who consolidated their third position in the 13-team table with 48 points from 22 matches. They lead fourth-placed Saif SC by four points.
Ballo Famoussa scored the consolation goal for Muktijoddha, who remained in ninth position with 23 points from 22 matches.
Consolation win for Team BJMC
Away at the Shaheed Bulu Stadium in Noakhali, already-relegated Team BJMC notched a consolation 1-0 win against Arambagh KS. Mukhamedov Otabek scored the only goal of the game in the 56th minute. The win helped Team BJMC to 11 points from 22 matches while Arambagh remained in fifth position with 30 points from 23 matches.
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