Abahani win seven-goal thriller against Sk Jamal

Brothers share points with BJMC

The reigning champions Abahani Limited finished their first leg of the Bangladesh Premier Football League with winning note defeating Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club in a seven goals thriller by 4-3 yesterday at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.

Abahani led the first half by 2-1 but Jamal stunned all taking lead inside 30 seconds of the match when Abahani hit back very quickly with equalising the margin on 8th minute and went 2-1 lead before half an hour mark.   

But the rain hugely interrupted the match when after 35 minutes referee forced to stop the match as heavy rains accompanied by thunder storm started and the match restarted after an hour when Abahani added one more goal and Jamal reduced two goals.

It was very vital encounter for both holders Abahani Limited and former champions Sheikh Jamal when for the former to remain strongly in the title race and the latter to get rid of the humiliating condition, as the match was lively till the final whistle.

But unfortunately Sheikh Jamal failed to change their luck when playing with maximum control of the second half and opening series of chances. On the other hands Abahani, despite had to work hard but finish the first leg on second position with closely staying on the point table with leaders Bashundhara Kings.

Abahani after playing 12 matches in the first leg amassed 30 points from 12 matches with 10 wins and two defeats when Sheikh Jamal could manage only 13 points from 11 matches when they won only three matches, drew four and suffered as many defeats when they had one match left to play in the first leg.

Ashraf Uddin Ahmed Chunnu, the chairman of the Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club football committee who witnessed the match still hopeful to bounce back in the second round to fight for the title race.

Chunnu when informed this correspondent during the match said, “We do not leave our hope to improve our position to back in the title race in the second round. We are planning to change three players.”

“We are on contact with a Japanese midfielder and two strikers from Gambia, hope fully they will join in the second phase and the scenario would be different,” Chunnu, former national star expressed his high hope.

However, Jamal made the breakthrough inside 30 seconds from a quick attack by Luciano Perez after Shakhawat Rony crossed the ball on 27th seconds (1-0).

Abahani responded very sharply when they equalized the margin on 10th minute with Afghan defender Masi Saighani slammed home a Jibon cross (1-1).

Abahani went ahead on 27th minute with an own goal when a long throw in of Raihan Hassan went into the post hitting Jamal defender  Manjur Rahman Manik (2-1).

Abahani enlarged the tally on 63rd minute when Sunday with a solo effort provided a cross for Belfort, who comfortably pushed the ball into net (3-1).

 Jibon further widened the tally for Abahani on 70th minute when rest of the time Jamal dominated the game and reduced two goals with Zakir Hossain Ziko scoring two goals on 80th and 90th minute (4-3).

Brothers Union shared points with Team BJMC in a goalless drawn match at Shaheed Bhulu Stadium in Noakhali in the other match of the day.

EA

Abahani win seven-goal thriller against Sk Jamal

Brothers share points with BJMC

The reigning champions Abahani Limited finished their first leg of the Bangladesh Premier Football League with winning note defeating Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club in a seven goals thriller by 4-3 yesterday at the Bangabandhu National Stadium. Abahani led the first half by 2-1 but Jamal stunned all taking lead inside 30 seconds of the match when Abahani hit back very quickly with equalising the margin on 8th minute and went 2-1 lead before half an hour mark. But the rain hugely interrupted the match when after 35 minutes referee forced to stop the match as heavy rains accompanied by thunder storm started and the match restarted after an hour when Abahani added one more goal and Jamal reduced two goals. It was very vital encounter for both holders Abahani Limited and former champions Sheikh Jamal when for the former to remain strongly in the title race and the latter to get rid of the humiliating condition, as the match was lively till the final whistle. But unfortunately Sheikh Jamal failed to change their luck when playing with maximum control of the second half and opening series of chances. On the other hands Abahani, despite had to work hard but finish the first leg on second position with closely staying on the point table with leaders Bashundhara Kings. Abahani after playing 12 matches in the first leg amassed 30 points from 12 matches with 10 wins and two defeats when Sheikh Jamal could manage only 13 points from 11 matches when they won only three matches, drew four and suffered as many defeats when they had one match left to play in the first leg. Ashraf Uddin Ahmed Chunnu, the chairman of the Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club football committee who witnessed the match still hopeful to bounce back in the second round to fight for the title race. Chunnu when informed this correspondent during the match said, We do not leave our hope to improve our position to back in the title race in the second round. We are planning to change three players. We are on contact with a Japanese midfielder and two strikers from Gambia, hope fully they will join in the second phase and the scenario would be different, Chunnu, former national star expressed his high hope. However, Jamal made the breakthrough inside 30 seconds from a quick attack by Luciano Perez after Shakhawat Rony crossed the ball on 27th seconds (1-0). Abahani responded very sharply when they equalized the margin on 10th minute with Afghan defender Masi Saighani slammed home a Jibon cross (1-1). Abahani went ahead on 27th minute with an own goal when a long throw in of Raihan Hassan went into the post hitting Jamal defender Manjur Rahman Manik (2-1). Abahani enlarged the tally on 63rd minute when Sunday with a solo effort provided a cross for Belfort, who comfortably pushed the ball into net (3-1). Jibon further widened the tally for Abahani on 70th minute when rest of the time Jamal dominated the game and reduced two goals with Zakir Hossain Ziko scoring two goals on 80th and 90th minute (4-3). Brothers Union shared points with Team BJMC in a goalless drawn match at Shaheed Bhulu Stadium in Noakhali in the other match of the day. EA