League toppers Bashundhara Kings went nine points clear of second-placed Mohammedan Sporting Club as they bagged a 2-1 win over Abahani Limited in their Bangladesh Premier League match at the Bashundhara Kings Arena on Saturday.
The Kings started playing pressing football from the beginning and the Sky Blues could not keep up the pace with them, and as a result, they did not have to wait long to take the lead in the game.
Right winger Rakib Hossain scored the first goal just into the 5th minute to send the Kings into the lead. Abahani goalkeeper Shahidul Alam Shohel could not save a shot from Kings’ Miguel Figueira.
The Sky Blues created a big chance of scoring in the 18th minute but Biswanath Ghosh of Kings blocked the header of Corneulis Stewart, which was heading inside the post.
In the next minute, the Kings’ goalkeeper Anisur Rahman Zicko was injured severely when he was trying to stop a shot from Stewart but the powerful shot directly hit him in the head.
Kings’ second choice Mehedi Hasan Srabon was subbed in as Zico was taken to the hospital for a checkup.
Kings forward Miguel led a counter-attack in the 33rd minute but Abahani defender Milad Sheikhi fouled him in the box. The Kings were awarded a penalty for the foul as the defender was booked for his rough play.
Miguel scored from the penalty and gave Bashundhara Kings a 2-0 lead. For the rest time of the first half where both teams created a few scoring chances but could not score goals.
After coming from the break, Abahani scored their first goal in the 50th minute as Washington Brandao sent a through pass towards Stewart and he finished the ball with a great diving skill.
Later, Abahani created some chances but those were not converted into goals. In the added time of the second half, Abahani midfielder Mohammad Ridoy had a huge chance to score but luck did not favour him, it hit the upper post and went for the goal-kick.
