Baridhara relegated for third time

Uttar Baridhara Club were demoted to the second tier of professional football for the third time as they finished second from bottom in the Bangladesh Premier League following a 5-2 defeat to runners-up Abahani in their last fixture at the Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni Stadium yesterday.

Uttar Baridhara were earlier relegated in 2014 and 2016 seasons following just one season each time before surviving for two seasons in top-flight football in their third appearance. They have now equalled Farashganj SC, who were also demoted from top-flight football three times. Baridhara finished with 14 points from 22 matches.

Since the introduction of the professional league in 2007, 13 clubs were relegated from the Bangladesh Premier League except in the 2021-22 season. Only five teams -- Chittagong Abahani, Rahmatganj MFS, Farashganj SC, Arambagh KS and Uttar Baridhara Club – managed to return to top flight while the rest of the clubs -- Khulna Abahani, Chittagong Mohammedan SC, Biyanibazar SC, Shukhtara Club, Feni Soccer Club, NoFeL SC, Team BJMC and Brothers Union – have not made it back to top flight.

The big defeat came courtesy of four goals from Abahani's Brazilian striker Dorielton Gomes as the Sky Blues ended with 47 points from 22 matches, 10 less than champions Bashundhara Kings.

In the day's other match, Muktijoddha Sangsad beat Saif SC 3-2 to shrug off the fear of being relegated. Muktijoddha ended with 19 points from 22 matches.