MSC, Abahani share points
Sunday, 17 June 2007
Title aspirants Mohamma-dan SC again split points as they played to a goalless draw with arch rivals Abahani Limited in the return league match of the B League at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in the city Saturday, reports UNB.
This was the third consecutive draw for the traditional black and white Motijheel outfit. Earlier, they shared points with Sheikh Russell KC and Muktijoddha Sangsad KC.
With the day's draw, both Mohammedan SC and Abahani Limited improved their position to share the top slot in the league table with 23 points, but Abahani Limited played one match less than Mohammedan SC's 13 matches.
In the first leg, Abahani Limited edged past Mohammedan SC by a solitary goal.
Mohammedan coach Shafiqul Islam Manik again voiced his discontent over the referee's role, alleging that they were deprived of a goal scored by Abul from goal mouth melee in the 82nd minute, which the referee cancelled out as offside.
He was, however, satisfied with the overall performance of the team.
"We should have won the match as we got some real chances," he said.
About the consecutive draws, the Mohammedan SC coach said: "Luck did not favour us. But this will not create any obstacle on our way to become champions."
Abahani Manager Satyajit Das Rupu also alleged that they were deprived of a goal scored by Zahid Hossain Emily in the 70th minute, which the referee cancelled for a foul.
He also criticised the match referee for what he said illegally showing yellow card to skipper Arif Khan Joy early in the match.
"The match was very exciting as both teams launched several attacks, but we missed some real scoring chances," Rupu said when asked about the overall performance of his team.
In the day's match, Moahammedan SC launched the first attack in the very 3rd minute, but Rony failed to push the ball home from vantage position off a Forhad left wing cross.
Mohammedan SC again came close to scoring in the 40th minute, but a weak header by Zahid Hossain from inside the D-box off a Paul pass was gloved superbly by opponent custodian James Paul.
Zahid must consider him unlucky as his two other attempts also failed to find the net in either half of the match. He missed the first goal as his right-footed angular shot from inside the danger zone kissed over the crossbar during the injury time.
He was again denied a goal in the 73rd minute, as his header from inside the D-box returned to play after hitting the crossbar following a right wing corner kick by Forhad.
On the other hand, Abahani Limited got a real chance to score in the very 8th minute. But Mohammadan SC defender Kamal Hossain cleared the goal-bound ball at the cost of corner after Abahani's foreign recruit Souleyman shot at the goal from inside the D-box.
Abahani missed the second real chance in the 20th minute, but a powerful shot taken by Ghananian Ibrahim from the top of the D-box narrowly missed the target.
Yellow cards: Zahid, (Mohammedan), Joy and Ibrahim (Abahani)
Teams:
Mohammedan SC - Zahid, Arif, Peter, Biplob (Belal), Kamal, Divine, Sharif, Paul, Forhad, Rony (Mithu) and James Paul.
Abahani Limited - Biplob, Prodip, Joy, Nazrul, Uzzal, Souleyman (Emily), Faisal, Siraji, Prantosh (Abul), John (Zahed) and Ibrahim.
Referee: Mansur Azad.
This was the third consecutive draw for the traditional black and white Motijheel outfit. Earlier, they shared points with Sheikh Russell KC and Muktijoddha Sangsad KC.
With the day's draw, both Mohammedan SC and Abahani Limited improved their position to share the top slot in the league table with 23 points, but Abahani Limited played one match less than Mohammedan SC's 13 matches.
In the first leg, Abahani Limited edged past Mohammedan SC by a solitary goal.
Mohammedan coach Shafiqul Islam Manik again voiced his discontent over the referee's role, alleging that they were deprived of a goal scored by Abul from goal mouth melee in the 82nd minute, which the referee cancelled out as offside.
He was, however, satisfied with the overall performance of the team.
"We should have won the match as we got some real chances," he said.
About the consecutive draws, the Mohammedan SC coach said: "Luck did not favour us. But this will not create any obstacle on our way to become champions."
Abahani Manager Satyajit Das Rupu also alleged that they were deprived of a goal scored by Zahid Hossain Emily in the 70th minute, which the referee cancelled for a foul.
He also criticised the match referee for what he said illegally showing yellow card to skipper Arif Khan Joy early in the match.
"The match was very exciting as both teams launched several attacks, but we missed some real scoring chances," Rupu said when asked about the overall performance of his team.
In the day's match, Moahammedan SC launched the first attack in the very 3rd minute, but Rony failed to push the ball home from vantage position off a Forhad left wing cross.
Mohammedan SC again came close to scoring in the 40th minute, but a weak header by Zahid Hossain from inside the D-box off a Paul pass was gloved superbly by opponent custodian James Paul.
Zahid must consider him unlucky as his two other attempts also failed to find the net in either half of the match. He missed the first goal as his right-footed angular shot from inside the danger zone kissed over the crossbar during the injury time.
He was again denied a goal in the 73rd minute, as his header from inside the D-box returned to play after hitting the crossbar following a right wing corner kick by Forhad.
On the other hand, Abahani Limited got a real chance to score in the very 8th minute. But Mohammadan SC defender Kamal Hossain cleared the goal-bound ball at the cost of corner after Abahani's foreign recruit Souleyman shot at the goal from inside the D-box.
Abahani missed the second real chance in the 20th minute, but a powerful shot taken by Ghananian Ibrahim from the top of the D-box narrowly missed the target.
Yellow cards: Zahid, (Mohammedan), Joy and Ibrahim (Abahani)
Teams:
Mohammedan SC - Zahid, Arif, Peter, Biplob (Belal), Kamal, Divine, Sharif, Paul, Forhad, Rony (Mithu) and James Paul.
Abahani Limited - Biplob, Prodip, Joy, Nazrul, Uzzal, Souleyman (Emily), Faisal, Siraji, Prantosh (Abul), John (Zahed) and Ibrahim.
Referee: Mansur Azad.