Ctg Abahani take solo lead

Brothers struggle with five points

Chittagong Abahani Limited took solo lead in the Saif Power Battery Bangladesh Premier League football after defeating Brothers Union by 2-0 yesterday at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.

The Chittagong giants were gifted an own goal at the late hour of first half and then Towhidul Alam Sabuj struck just five minutes before to the final whistle to seal the match. The defending runners-up won their seventh match out of eight.  Chittagong Abahani Limited finished the eighth round remaining firmly on top of the table with 22 points with winning seven and drawing one match but Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club are closely following them with 19 points from seven matches.

One the other hands, Brothers Union have already changed three coaches since the season started with Indian Subrata Bhattacharya (junior) in the Federation Cup, then Subrata replaced Italian Giovani Scanno and the Italian replaced Nicola Vitorovic, a Cyprus borne Serbian, who has been doing the job for last two weeks.

But the Gopibagh outfit, who finished last season on fourth place under veteran Indian coach Syed Nayeemuddin, yet to get back their rhythm as they had been struggling with five points from seven matches managing only one win and two draws before this match.

It was heavy shower for almost two hours before the match, made the ground of the BNS muddy and as well as slippery when the players lost their balance very often and failing to keep the ball in their possessions and passes were not going in right direction.

However, the day’s favourites Ctg Abahani, put their dominance right from the kick off and also pressed to take early lead, though a half chance from Mamunul was halted by Brothers goalkeeper Abdul Kader on fourth minute.

The league leaders (jointly) who struggled much in their previous two matches with forcing sharing points after goalless draw against Arambagh and just escaped with an 85th minutes strike by defender Alison Udoka, on the day also faced huge challenge from Brothers.

After a long 38th minute Saiful Bari Titu’s men were awarded an own goal when Brothers defender Ashraf Rana and midfielder Zunapio’s attempts backfired, as they tried to clear a free kick of Mamunul with headers but the ball went to their own post on 39th (1-0).

After a lone goal margin lead of the first half Chittagong Abahani continued their pressure to increase the tally for securing win but took 46 minutes to double the lead when Towhidul Alam Sabuj scored his sixth goal in the ongoing league. This time the move build up down the right and defender Mansur Amin overlapped to set a cross inside the area and Sabuj rushed very quick and perfectly connect to send the ball into near post (2-0).

Ctg Abahani take solo lead

Brothers struggle with five points

Chittagong Abahani Limited took solo lead in the Saif Power Battery Bangladesh Premier League football after defeating Brothers Union by 2-0 yesterday at the Bangabandhu National Stadium. The Chittagong giants were gifted an own goal at the late hour of first half and then Towhidul Alam Sabuj struck just five minutes before to the final whistle to seal the match. The defending runners-up won their seventh match out of eight. Chittagong Abahani Limited finished the eighth round remaining firmly on top of the table with 22 points with winning seven and drawing one match but Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club are closely following them with 19 points from seven matches. One the other hands, Brothers Union have already changed three coaches since the season started with Indian Subrata Bhattacharya (junior) in the Federation Cup, then Subrata replaced Italian Giovani Scanno and the Italian replaced Nicola Vitorovic, a Cyprus borne Serbian, who has been doing the job for last two weeks. But the Gopibagh outfit, who finished last season on fourth place under veteran Indian coach Syed Nayeemuddin, yet to get back their rhythm as they had been struggling with five points from seven matches managing only one win and two draws before this match. It was heavy shower for almost two hours before the match, made the ground of the BNS muddy and as well as slippery when the players lost their balance very often and failing to keep the ball in their possessions and passes were not going in right direction. However, the days favourites Ctg Abahani, put their dominance right from the kick off and also pressed to take early lead, though a half chance from Mamunul was halted by Brothers goalkeeper Abdul Kader on fourth minute. The league leaders (jointly) who struggled much in their previous two matches with forcing sharing points after goalless draw against Arambagh and just escaped with an 85th minutes strike by defender Alison Udoka, on the day also faced huge challenge from Brothers. After a long 38th minute Saiful Bari Titus men were awarded an own goal when Brothers defender Ashraf Rana and midfielder Zunapios attempts backfired, as they tried to clear a free kick of Mamunul with headers but the ball went to their own post on 39th (1-0). After a lone goal margin lead of the first half Chittagong Abahani continued their pressure to increase the tally for securing win but took 46 minutes to double the lead when Towhidul Alam Sabuj scored his sixth goal in the ongoing league. This time the move build up down the right and defender Mansur Amin overlapped to set a cross inside the area and Sabuj rushed very quick and perfectly connect to send the ball into near post (2-0).