BPL Football

Abahani lift title beating Sk Jamal 2-0

Holders Abahani Limited retained the title of the Saif Power Battery Bangladesh Premier League football when they blanked the closest contenders Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club by 2-0 yesterday at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in the capital. Nasiruddin initiated the scoring early in the 23rd minute and Sunday Chizoba made it double just before two minutes of the final whistle to rejoice even before the last match to play. It was the sixth time Abahani celebrated the title of the Professional Football  League as they enjoyed the first three editions in a row

since 2007-8, when Sk Jamal tested for three times. And this time also, Sk Jamal came very closer but got ousted from the race before the last match to play.

Abahani, who had already won the most important game of their week to remain unbeaten after the upsetting defeat in the first match of second leg, remained unbeaten in nine matches in a row to bump up to the top of the points table. The crucial match between the two giants began with hug pace as both teams came to the field wearing an offensive attitude, and after a few minutes Abahani hogged the possession and for a long period they remained almost camped inside the Sk Jamal half. After being denied repeatedly by Sk Jamal defenders, their efforts paid off as they took the lead on the 23rd minute.

This time, the long-range classics brought a thrilling encounter to life. The high-pitched match broke out and Abahani notched the advantage of it creating five attempts on goal and to score one against Sk Jamal’s three in the first half.  

Defender Nasiruddin struck his sixth goal in the league to boost up the champions with a nice header when Sohel Rana superbly dribbled past Emran Hassan Rubel inside the area after receiving a corner and floated it at the goal-mouth melee. Nasir jumped higher than his markers and sent the ball into near post (1-0).  

Sk Jamal made it into the Abahani penalty area only three times during the first half. Striker Solomon King cut the ball back on 15th minute but nobody was there.

The highest scorer in the match with 16 goals, Raphael, again badly lost the ball possession inside the area and this time Javed Khan provided a nice cross but the Nigerian was a bit slow to reach the ball on the top of the box at the half an hour mark.

After Abahani took 1-0 lead in the match, both sides continued to press in the second half and to throw bodies in their way and this time Sk Jamal created the first chance as Javed Khan had a volley blocked by Rayhan Hassan to step across to make the saving tackle on the 49th.

And another shot from substitute Sohel Meah was saved by Abahani keeper Sohel, who looked very confident under the bar on the day when the ball looped up on 80th minute.

Abahani, who did not take the battle easy despite taking early lead, were in a confrontation with Sk Jamal all through the 90 minutes. But the team sealed the victory with a 2-0 as Sunday Chizoba smashed his smart curling shot into the far post making the Sk Jamal keeper confused in the fourth minute of injury period.

BPL Football

Abahani lift title beating Sk Jamal 2-0

Holders Abahani Limited retained the title of the Saif Power Battery Bangladesh Premier League football when they blanked the closest contenders Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club by 2-0 yesterday at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in the capital. Nasiruddin initiated the scoring early in the 23rd minute and Sunday Chizoba made it double just before two minutes of the final whistle to rejoice even before the last match to play. It was the sixth time Abahani celebrated the title of the Professional Football League as they enjoyed the first three editions in a row since 2007-8, when Sk Jamal tested for three times. And this time also, Sk Jamal came very closer but got ousted from the race before the last match to play. Abahani, who had already won the most important game of their week to remain unbeaten after the upsetting defeat in the first match of second leg, remained unbeaten in nine matches in a row to bump up to the top of the points table. The crucial match between the two giants began with hug pace as both teams came to the field wearing an offensive attitude, and after a few minutes Abahani hogged the possession and for a long period they remained almost camped inside the Sk Jamal half. After being denied repeatedly by Sk Jamal defenders, their efforts paid off as they took the lead on the 23rd minute. This time, the long-range classics brought a thrilling encounter to life. The high-pitched match broke out and Abahani notched the advantage of it creating five attempts on goal and to score one against Sk Jamals three in the first half. Defender Nasiruddin struck his sixth goal in the league to boost up the champions with a nice header when Sohel Rana superbly dribbled past Emran Hassan Rubel inside the area after receiving a corner and floated it at the goal-mouth melee. Nasir jumped higher than his markers and sent the ball into near post (1-0). Sk Jamal made it into the Abahani penalty area only three times during the first half. Striker Solomon King cut the ball back on 15th minute but nobody was there. The highest scorer in the match with 16 goals, Raphael, again badly lost the ball possession inside the area and this time Javed Khan provided a nice cross but the Nigerian was a bit slow to reach the ball on the top of the box at the half an hour mark. After Abahani took 1-0 lead in the match, both sides continued to press in the second half and to throw bodies in their way and this time Sk Jamal created the first chance as Javed Khan had a volley blocked by Rayhan Hassan to step across to make the saving tackle on the 49th. And another shot from substitute Sohel Meah was saved by Abahani keeper Sohel, who looked very confident under the bar on the day when the ball looped up on 80th minute. Abahani, who did not take the battle easy despite taking early lead, were in a confrontation with Sk Jamal all through the 90 minutes. But the team sealed the victory with a 2-0 as Sunday Chizoba smashed his smart curling shot into the far post making the Sk Jamal keeper confused in the fourth minute of injury period.