Police FC forward Mohammad Sheikh Bablu’s 88-minute goal secured his side a valuable point against the third-placed Abahani Limited as they faced each other in their Bangladesh Premier League match at the Sheikh Fazlul Haque Mani Stadium in Munshigonj on Friday.
The Sky Blues dominated in the first half of the match and as a result, they took the lead just in the ninth minute. Cornelius Stewart scored a stunner to take his side into the lead.
Abahani winger Enamul Islam Gazi sent in a cross from the wing inside the box and Police’s Uzbek defender Azamat Abdullayev failed to clear the ball. Stewart used this falter to his advantage and his powerful shot directly found the net. Police goalkeeper Ahsan Habib Bipu could only watch the ball hit the back of the net.
With this goal, the Vincentian forward became the second-highest scorer in the tournament with 12 goals. Mohammedan forward Souleymane Diabate is in the top with 13 goals.
Stewart also had a chance to make the lead double in the 32nd minute but he failed to send the ball into the net after getting a free goalpost.
His powerful shot hit Police goalkeeper Bipu’s body and the ball went over the post for a corner.
The Sky Blues also created a chance in the last minute of the first half added time but Gazi could not connect the ball as Washington Brandao sent the throw pass from the left wing.
The first half ended with a scoreline of 1-0 where Bangladesh Police tried to score but Abahani defenders hardly gave them a chance.
After coming from the break, the Police played far better than the first half. They created a few chances but their forwards failed to keep the ball on target.
They had their golden opportunity to score in the 56th minute as substitute Mohamed Sheikh Bablu got Abahani goalkeeper Shahidul Alam Shohel lonely but could not send the ball to the net. His shot went over the post.
Bablu also got a chance in the 59th minute but could not keep the ball on target. Mateo Palacios took a brilliant free-kick and it went straight to Bablu. He headed the ball but it went over the post.
Police midfielder Rabiul Hasan missed an opportunity in the 66th minute as his low shot was not on target. Palacios passed the ball from the midfield, and Rabiul had no one in front of him except Abahani goalkeeper Shohel.
But there was something to happen, Shahidul made a silly mistake in the 87th minute and Abahani lost their full points for this.
Bablu took a low shot outside the box, it was on target and was in control for Shohel but somehow he missed and the ball found the net.
With the draw, both the teams held their positions in the points table as Abahani are third with 26 points while Police are fourth with 22 points.
