Abahani Limited scrape past Brothers 1-0 to take top slot
Thursday, 12 July 2007
Strong title contender Abahani Limited regained the top slot of the B League as they beat Brothers Union Club by a solitary goal in the day's high-voltage second phase match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium (BNS) in the city Wednesday, reports UNB.
Earlier, in the first phase, the two metropolis giants shared points in a goalless draw in Dhaka.
ATN Bangla, a private satellite channel, telecast the match live from the BNS.
With the day's welcome victory, the traditional "sky blue" Dhanmondi outfit secured 35 points from 16 matches, two points ahead of second placed Muktijoddha Sangsad KC who played 17 matches.
On the other hand, Brothers Union Club remained 5th in the league table with 23 points from 16 matches.
Dhaka Mohammedan SC is currently in the 3rd position in the league table with 32 points from 16 matches, followed by Sheikh Russel KC in the 4th slot with 29 points from 17 matches.
After a barren first half, defender Kazi Nazrul Islam scored the all-important goal for Abahani Limited from penalty.
Earlier, in the 14th minute, Abahani Limited midfielder Mehdi Hasan Uzzal unleashed a powerful shot from just outside of the left side of the D-box, but opponent custodian Nizam was equal to the task and fisted away the ball to safety.
In the very next minute, Abahani right back Siraji came close to score, but his right-footed shot from the right side of the D-box went just wide.
Brothers Union Club launched their first formidable attack in the 19th minute when striker Junior, taking advantage of a wrong pass from Abahani defender Prodeep, took a powerful angular shot, but the ball sailed over the crossbar.
After the refreshment break, Abahani Limited got the much-cherished opportunity when their Ghanaian forward Awudu Ibrahim was fouled by Brothers defender Rony inside the danger zone. And the match referee has no hesitation in awarding a spot kick.
After his first successful spot kick was disqualified by referee Abdul Hannan Miron, cool headed Nazrul made no mistake in his second attempt to give Abahani Limited 1-0 lead in the 60th minute.
Emboldened by a 1-0 lead, the popular Dhanmondi outfit started to play in more attacking fashion and gained two good scoring chances in the last 10 minutes, but failed to increase the lead.
First, in the 82nd minute, striker Emily's shot from the edge of the D-box off an Ibrahim pass narrowly sailed over the crossbar.
And in the very next minute, substitute striker Tipu, who came in replacing medio Abul, tapped a Emily minus, but that went to the safe hands of custodian Nizam after hitting the side post.
Brothers Union Club, already out of the title race, could hardly make any real attack to break through the compact Abahani defense.
Abahani Limited: Biplob, Prodeep, Joy, Nazrul, Uzzal, Zahed, Faisal (Mintu), Siraji, Abul (Tipu), Emily and Ibrahim.
Brothers Union: Nizam, Rony, Shuvro, Mamun, Masud, Liton (Monwar), Shakil, Inani, Tapu (Monju), Junior and Lajuk (Faisal).
Yellow cards: Biplob (Abahani), Masud Rana (Brothers)
Earlier, in the first phase, the two metropolis giants shared points in a goalless draw in Dhaka.
ATN Bangla, a private satellite channel, telecast the match live from the BNS.
With the day's welcome victory, the traditional "sky blue" Dhanmondi outfit secured 35 points from 16 matches, two points ahead of second placed Muktijoddha Sangsad KC who played 17 matches.
On the other hand, Brothers Union Club remained 5th in the league table with 23 points from 16 matches.
Dhaka Mohammedan SC is currently in the 3rd position in the league table with 32 points from 16 matches, followed by Sheikh Russel KC in the 4th slot with 29 points from 17 matches.
After a barren first half, defender Kazi Nazrul Islam scored the all-important goal for Abahani Limited from penalty.
Earlier, in the 14th minute, Abahani Limited midfielder Mehdi Hasan Uzzal unleashed a powerful shot from just outside of the left side of the D-box, but opponent custodian Nizam was equal to the task and fisted away the ball to safety.
In the very next minute, Abahani right back Siraji came close to score, but his right-footed shot from the right side of the D-box went just wide.
Brothers Union Club launched their first formidable attack in the 19th minute when striker Junior, taking advantage of a wrong pass from Abahani defender Prodeep, took a powerful angular shot, but the ball sailed over the crossbar.
After the refreshment break, Abahani Limited got the much-cherished opportunity when their Ghanaian forward Awudu Ibrahim was fouled by Brothers defender Rony inside the danger zone. And the match referee has no hesitation in awarding a spot kick.
After his first successful spot kick was disqualified by referee Abdul Hannan Miron, cool headed Nazrul made no mistake in his second attempt to give Abahani Limited 1-0 lead in the 60th minute.
Emboldened by a 1-0 lead, the popular Dhanmondi outfit started to play in more attacking fashion and gained two good scoring chances in the last 10 minutes, but failed to increase the lead.
First, in the 82nd minute, striker Emily's shot from the edge of the D-box off an Ibrahim pass narrowly sailed over the crossbar.
And in the very next minute, substitute striker Tipu, who came in replacing medio Abul, tapped a Emily minus, but that went to the safe hands of custodian Nizam after hitting the side post.
Brothers Union Club, already out of the title race, could hardly make any real attack to break through the compact Abahani defense.
Abahani Limited: Biplob, Prodeep, Joy, Nazrul, Uzzal, Zahed, Faisal (Mintu), Siraji, Abul (Tipu), Emily and Ibrahim.
Brothers Union: Nizam, Rony, Shuvro, Mamun, Masud, Liton (Monwar), Shakil, Inani, Tapu (Monju), Junior and Lajuk (Faisal).
Yellow cards: Biplob (Abahani), Masud Rana (Brothers)