Saif thrash Abahani 4-1 

Abahani Limited were subjected to a 4-1 thrashing against Saif Sporting Club in their quest for the ultimate glory at the Bir Fl. Lt. Matiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj on Sunday.

The Sky Blues failed to capitalise on Banshundhara Kings’ draw on Saturday, which brought them a seven- point gap in the points table.

Abahani now are on 38 points, while Kings sit top with 45 after 18 rounds of matches in the Bangladesh Premier League with four more rounds to go.

Rakib crossed one in in the first minute and he found skipper Daniel Colindres, who couldn’t hit the target with his left foot as he hit the side netting.

Colindres was at it again in the ninth minute when his attempted long-ranging effort was brilliantly put out by Saif goalkeeper Mitul Hossain. Despite getting off the blocks quickly, Abahani failed to capitalize on their start and was rattled by Saif in the 14th minute. Against the run of play, Saif’s number nine Mfon Udoh broke the deadlock with an easy finish.

Abahani goalkeeper Shahidul Alam Sohel scruffed punch to clear away an incoming cross deflected to Emeka Ogbugh, who rolled it to Udoh, who made no mistake.

The Sky blues seemed unsettled and the absence of Brazilian midfielder Raphael Augusto put them at a disadvantage as the midfield seemed to be in disarray and struggled to link up the play with the front three. But despite their scruffy play, Abahani managed to find the equaliser in the 35th minute, courtesy of striker Dorielton Gomes, who perhaps delivered the goal of the season with a brilliantly taken overhead kick from Colindres’ cross. But their celebrations were short-lived as Saif managed to go up once again in the 40th minute.

Abahani had their skipper and goalkeeper Sohel to blame once again. He failed to parry away yet another corner as the ball went past his fists and fell to Sabuz Hossain, who turned it in.

Abahani’s corner concerns turned deeper in the 65th minute when midfielder Rahim Uddin headed one in from. He wriggled away from his marker and smartly guided it into the near post making it 3-1.

They pounded the final nail in the coffin in the 71st minute as Emile Bayisenge scored from the spot to complete an Abahani thrashing.