Wedson, Edward make winning debut for Saif

Wedson Enselme and Charles Edward highly impressed with slamming one goal each in their first match, as Saif Sporting Club stunned the reigning champions Abahani Limited by 2-1 to begin the second-leg with a high note in the Saif Power Battery Bangladesh Premier League football.

Held at the Bangabandhu National Stadium, it was a bit sweet revenge for Saif on Abahani, when they went down in the first leg after a fight 3-2 defeat.

After the win Saif brought their tally to 25 from 12 matches one point ahead to Abahani playing same number of matches.

In the evenly contested match, Saif  were better in the first half to enjoy the ball possessions and also creates chances when Abahani had the maximum control of the second half and also produced batter opportunities.       

However, the Saif Sporting could have taken the lead in the very fifth minute after superb exchanges between Wedson and Edward, captain Jamal Bhuiyan’s well measured long range shot was about to go into the net. But the tall custodian Shahidul Alam Sohel of Abahani saved it at the last moment at the cost of a corner.

Saif SC gave huge trouble to Abahani in their debut match in the Bangladesh Premier League, as the match was heading to draw with 2-2 up to 85 minutes and defender Nasiruddin just salvaged the holders finishing on 3-2.

Saif finally broke the deadlock on 33rd minute with Wedson Enselme converted a penalty to notice his welcome back in Dhaka and this time Jewel Rana made a good sprint down the right and crossed the ball into box but Samad Yusuf handled the ball and referee Bhubon Mohan directed for a spot kick (1-0).

Meanwhile, the day’s favourites Abahani’s only attack in the first half can be pointed out was a Rubel Mea’s through pass inside the box and Sunday despite trying hard could not reach the ball as Saif keeper was faster to collect the ball to deny the star striker.

Saif could have made the advantage double on 57th minute but Wedson disappointed all when took a sky-high kick from inside the box having enough time to mark the target.

Wedson, who looked not on his pick on the day, was pulled out on 62nd minute as the English coach Kim Grant replaced Showkat Russel to make more compact the defense.       

Abahani, in the last few minutes had full control on the match and keeping Saif under pressure created some close chances but the attempts from Sunday, Emeka Darlington and Nabib Newaz Jibon were rebounded by the defenders at the goal-mouth melee.

But Saif Sporting stunned Abahani making the tally 2-0 scoring the second from a counter attack when the English forward Charles Edward, son of former England’s national team’s booter Teddy Sheringham showed a glimpse when his header on a Jamal Bhuiyan corner found the far post on 75th minute (2-0).

Abahani, after missing chance after chance, had a consolation with reducing one goal when Saif defender Ariful trying to clear a ball touched his hand and referee called for spot kick, Sunday Chizoba beautifully perfect his shot right on 90th (2-1).

Wedson, Edward make winning debut for Saif

Wedson Enselme and Charles Edward highly impressed with slamming one goal each in their first match, as Saif Sporting Club stunned the reigning champions Abahani Limited by 2-1 to begin the second-leg with a high note in the Saif Power Battery Bangladesh Premier League football. Held at the Bangabandhu National Stadium, it was a bit sweet revenge for Saif on Abahani, when they went down in the first leg after a fight 3-2 defeat. After the win Saif brought their tally to 25 from 12 matches one point ahead to Abahani playing same number of matches. In the evenly contested match, Saif were better in the first half to enjoy the ball possessions and also creates chances when Abahani had the maximum control of the second half and also produced batter opportunities. However, the Saif Sporting could have taken the lead in the very fifth minute after superb exchanges between Wedson and Edward, captain Jamal Bhuiyans well measured long range shot was about to go into the net. But the tall custodian Shahidul Alam Sohel of Abahani saved it at the last moment at the cost of a corner. Saif SC gave huge trouble to Abahani in their debut match in the Bangladesh Premier League, as the match was heading to draw with 2-2 up to 85 minutes and defender Nasiruddin just salvaged the holders finishing on 3-2. Saif finally broke the deadlock on 33rd minute with Wedson Enselme converted a penalty to notice his welcome back in Dhaka and this time Jewel Rana made a good sprint down the right and crossed the ball into box but Samad Yusuf handled the ball and referee Bhubon Mohan directed for a spot kick (1-0). Meanwhile, the days favourites Abahanis only attack in the first half can be pointed out was a Rubel Meas through pass inside the box and Sunday despite trying hard could not reach the ball as Saif keeper was faster to collect the ball to deny the star striker. Saif could have made the advantage double on 57th minute but Wedson disappointed all when took a sky-high kick from inside the box having enough time to mark the target. Wedson, who looked not on his pick on the day, was pulled out on 62nd minute as the English coach Kim Grant replaced Showkat Russel to make more compact the defense. Abahani, in the last few minutes had full control on the match and keeping Saif under pressure created some close chances but the attempts from Sunday, Emeka Darlington and Nabib Newaz Jibon were rebounded by the defenders at the goal-mouth melee. But Saif Sporting stunned Abahani making the tally 2-0 scoring the second from a counter attack when the English forward Charles Edward, son of former Englands national teams booter Teddy Sheringham showed a glimpse when his header on a Jamal Bhuiyan corner found the far post on 75th minute (2-0). Abahani, after missing chance after chance, had a consolation with reducing one goal when Saif defender Ariful trying to clear a ball touched his hand and referee called for spot kick, Sunday Chizoba beautifully perfect his shot right on 90th (2-1).