Kings sail, Abahani, Sk Jamal get stumble
Defending champions Bashundhara Kings began their league campaign in style but title contenders Abahani and Sheikh Jamal DC stumbled in their respective opening matches of Bangladesh Premier League at different venues yesterday.
Bashundhara Kings, who completed a hat-trick of league championships last season, handed a 3-0 defeat to newcomers Azampur FC Uttara at Bashundhara Kings arena while Abahani came from behind to play out a 1-1 draw against newcomers Fortis FC at Shaheed Dhirendranath Datta Stadium in Cumilla.
Robson gave hosts Kings a five-minute lead with a low drive following a indirect free-kick inside the box before Independence Cup top-scorer Dorielton doubled the lead with a close-range header in the 19th minute. Rakib, most valuable player of Independence Cup, fired home in the 29th minute to ensure a winning start for Kings, who are looking to clinch a rare treble this season.
In Cumilla, defender Riyadul Hasan rescued Abahani with a low shot in the 90th minute to cancel out Fortis FC's 36th-minute lead from Brazilian Luis Garlos's strike to manage a draw.
At Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni Stadium in Gopalganj, Sheikh Jamal DC surrendered a lead to draw 2-2 with Rahmatganj MFS.
Koushik Barua gave Sheikh Jamal a 17th minute lead only for it to be canceled by Brazilian Michael Vanicius' equaliser eight minutes into the second half. Uzbek forward Otabek Jonov restored the lead in the 55th minute following a defensive fumble but Rahmatganj levelled the margin again with Mohammad Munna in the 65th minute.
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