Abahani win over archrivals

Abahani Limited defeated archrivals Mohammedan Sporting Club 1-0 in the Bangladesh Premier League at Sylhet District Stadium on Wednesday.

The win takes Abahani to the top of the table after five matches so far in the league with 13 points, Mohamedan is on the fifth place with eight points.

Sohel Rana,in the 28th minute,delivered a thunderous strike from outside the box giving Abahani the solitary goal. .Jibon received the ball and rolled it to Rana who used his right-foot to send the ball in the top corner.

Abahani’s scorer, Sohel Rana dedicated his goal to his deceased wife and 3 year-old son,who passed away in a road accident.

Jibon shared his thoughts on the goal after the match and said,’’My role in the team is a defensive one – 70% defence and 30% attack.Credit to Jibon who cushioned the and ball played it to me.I saw the vacant space and thought that the ball might come to me from the left .I was focused on just hitting the target”, said the midfielder.

“I play for my wife and my son.I am going through a difficult time but I want to comeback strongly.” he added.

Jewel Rana hit the woodwork in the 8th minute, coming in the box for a cross by Colindres who got himself a yard of space to put in a cross.

The Atmosphere tensed up early as players from both sides got in a tussle and three players were booked in the opening 5 minutes of the game.

Mohammedan started strongly and almost scored in the 11th minute when Diabate went through on goal to get a shot away but a brilliant block by Milad denied Mohammedan the equalizer.

Despite Abahani’s lead , the first half remained fairly even as both sides created chances at regular intervals.

Abahani made a strong foothold in the second half and Colindres,in the 56th minute, displayed a moment of brilliance when he came inside the box cutting in with his left foot and then turned to get a shot on goal with his left but it was blocked away.

Brazilian central midfielder Raphael Augusto showed falir in the middle of the park playing incisive forward passes and keeping possession for Abahani.

Mohammedan’s Nigerian midfielder Ugo tested Abahani goal keeper Sohel from a free-kick in the 60th minute.The strike from Ugo seemed to curling in from outside but Sohel was in full stretch and parried it away.

Mohammedan showed urgency in the last 5 minutes and pushed for a goal but Abahani dealt with the pressure as it ended 1-0.

Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi club beat Sheikh Rasel KC 1-0 in the other game on Wednesday.

Matthew scored the winning goal for Jamal on 33rd minute of the match.