Abahani tame Team BJMC

Defender Tapu Barman’s classy first-half strike gave the champions Abahani Limited a narrow 1-0 win over Team BJMC in the Bangladesh Premier League yesterday at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.

In a bid to retain the title Abahani Limited despite making the campaign with a winning note defeating Nofel Sporting by 2-1, saw a huge blow in the second match with going down to Bashundhara Kings by 0-3.

But the holders made well comeback from the next round with 2-0 victory over Muktijoddha and just thrashed Rahmatganj MFS by 5-1 in the previous match and kept up the momentum defeating BJMC by 1-0 to accomplish the third win a row.

Now they became the table topper with 12 points after playing five matches with four wins and a defeat.

BJMC, who finished the last season on ninth place, could managed one point after playing five matches when they suffered defeats to Mohammedan Sporting Club by 2-1, to Saif Sporting by 1-0 and 2-0 to Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club when forced Chittagong Abahani to share points with a goalless draw.      

This is the first meeting of Abahani with the Team BMC this season when in the previous season the title holders shared points in the first leg and won the second phase by 4-1.

On the day Abahani though enjoyed the better possessions, specially, in the opening 45 minutes and also scored the lone goal, could not play in equal rhythm in the full 90 games, as BJMC trying to playing evenly in the second half looked coach Jilani operated well to create good pressure on the champions.

However, Abahani should have opened the scoring in the 7th minute when Sunday produced a massive chance for Belfort who makes an excellent interception on the edge of his box and found Rubel in superb position just yards from the goal-line.

Belfort when went closer to the post was strictly tackled by a BJMC defender but he (Belfort) just pushed the ball for Rubel who was nearer to him but young forward drove wide of the target, as he unbelievably took sky high shot from three yards from the goal-line.        

Abahani continued their drive forward with great pace to take lead and defender Tapu Barman made it success from a set piece of Waly Faisal.

Waly Faisal the left wing back floated a long range free kick from their half that found Tapu Barman, who was into the box sparkled his header into the top corner of the net on 27th minute (1-0). Abahani after taking the lead stepped up to have clear lead but did not find the net for more than once despite keeping MJMC under pressure.

BJMC, after stumbling the favourites on 0-1 looked more offensive in the second half and tried heart and soul to snatch at least one point, as most of the time they forced the mighty Sky-Blue to share the possession evenly.

Abahani tame Team BJMC

Defender Tapu Barmans classy first-half strike gave the champions Abahani Limited a narrow 1-0 win over Team BJMC in the Bangladesh Premier League yesterday at the Bangabandhu National Stadium. In a bid to retain the title Abahani Limited despite making the campaign with a winning note defeating Nofel Sporting by 2-1, saw a huge blow in the second match with going down to Bashundhara Kings by 0-3. But the holders made well comeback from the next round with 2-0 victory over Muktijoddha and just thrashed Rahmatganj MFS by 5-1 in the previous match and kept up the momentum defeating BJMC by 1-0 to accomplish the third win a row. Now they became the table topper with 12 points after playing five matches with four wins and a defeat. BJMC, who finished the last season on ninth place, could managed one point after playing five matches when they suffered defeats to Mohammedan Sporting Club by 2-1, to Saif Sporting by 1-0 and 2-0 to Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club when forced Chittagong Abahani to share points with a goalless draw. This is the first meeting of Abahani with the Team BMC this season when in the previous season the title holders shared points in the first leg and won the second phase by 4-1. On the day Abahani though enjoyed the better possessions, specially, in the opening 45 minutes and also scored the lone goal, could not play in equal rhythm in the full 90 games, as BJMC trying to playing evenly in the second half looked coach Jilani operated well to create good pressure on the champions. However, Abahani should have opened the scoring in the 7th minute when Sunday produced a massive chance for Belfort who makes an excellent interception on the edge of his box and found Rubel in superb position just yards from the goal-line. Belfort when went closer to the post was strictly tackled by a BJMC defender but he (Belfort) just pushed the ball for Rubel who was nearer to him but young forward drove wide of the target, as he unbelievably took sky high shot from three yards from the goal-line. Abahani continued their drive forward with great pace to take lead and defender Tapu Barman made it success from a set piece of Waly Faisal. Waly Faisal the left wing back floated a long range free kick from their half that found Tapu Barman, who was into the box sparkled his header into the top corner of the net on 27th minute (1-0). Abahani after taking the lead stepped up to have clear lead but did not find the net for more than once despite keeping MJMC under pressure. BJMC, after stumbling the favourites on 0-1 looked more offensive in the second half and tried heart and soul to snatch at least one point, as most of the time they forced the mighty Sky-Blue to share the possession evenly.