Kings add to Abahani's debutant blues

Defending champions Abahani fell apart against newcomers Bashundhara Kings, suffering a humiliating 3-0 defeat at the hands of the hosts at the Sheikh Kamal Stadium in Nilphamari yesterday.

The defeat was the third occasion in the league's history that the country's football giants were undone by Bangladesh Premier League debutants. The Sky Blues were had suffered a shock 1-2 defeat at the hands of newcomers Khulna Abahani in 2007 and next experienced rookie wrath during a 1-3 reversal against debutants Sheikh Jamal DC in the 4th edition in 2011.

However, Abahani's defeat to the big-spending Bashundhara Kings was not an upset as Bashundhara Kings had earlier beaten Abahani in a shootout at the knockout stage en route to clinching the Independence Cup. They deserved the victory yesterday and Abahani deserved the loss as their  vulnerable backline and lax defending was exposed, while they also wasted a few chances, including a spot kick.

The high-voltage match got off to a sparkling start in front of a sizeable crowd, who definitely enjoyed the game that featured a lot of national footballers as well as some quality foreign recruits such as Costa Rican World Cup player Daniel Colindres, Brazilian Marcos Vinicius, Haitian Kervens Fils Belfort and Nigerian Sunday Chizoba.

It was Abahani who came close to taking the lead but winger Rubel Mia was denied by the woodwork in the 12th minute before Bashundhara first mustered a shot on target in the 16th minute.

Abahani defender Tapu Barman's powerful shot was parried by the Bashundhara goalkeeper at the half-hour mark before Colindres rattled Abahani's crossbar three minutes later.

Abahani incurred a blow in the 34th minute when Afghan defender Masih Saighani sustained an injury and was sidelined, paving the way for Mamun Mia, who was seemingly to blame for his weak defending that allowed Bashundhara Kings forwards to tear apart the backline.

However, the scenario could have been different had Nigerian hitman Sunday not missed the penalty three minute from the break. Bashundhara Kings then took opened the scoring in the stoppage time of the first half when Nasir Chowdhury tapped home a Vinicius free-kick from outside the box to silence Abahani.

After resumption, Bashundhara appeared to have doubled Abahani's pain in the 56th minute with a back-heel from Vinicius but the goal was ruled off side. The hosts, however, did not take much time to make it 2-0 as Vinicius put a nice ball for Matin Mia, who darted into the box to beat goalkeeper Shahidul Alam Sohel with an angular shot in the 60th minute. Colindres then put the outcome beyond doubt by widening the margin in the 69th minute, chipping the ball over advancing goalkeeper Sohel after darting through helpless Abahani defenders.

At Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni Stadium in Gopalganj, Muktijoddha Sangsad stunned three-time champions Sheikh Jamal DC with an identical 3-0 defeat, thanks to the league's first hattrick by Ballo Famousa, who scored in the 44th, 67th and 89th minutes respectively.

It was the fourth victory for the All Reds against Sheikh Jamal in 16 professional league outings , during which Muktijoddha tasted defeat 11 times and drew once.