Sheikh Jamal beat Abahani *****

Star-studded Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club made a good start in the 2nd phase of the GrameenPhone Bangladesh League beating holders Abahani Limited by 3-1 goals in the day's lone match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in the city Wednesday, reports UNB. With the day's victory, Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club reached the 2nd slot in the league table with 27 points, one point behind league leaders Muktijoddha Sangsad KC, while Abahani Limited remained at 26 points, both playing 12 matches. In the day's match, Cameroon recruit Stephen Moga Bouga, Ariful Islam and substitute striker Enamul Haque scored one goal each for Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club while Ghanaian striker Ntim Frank netted the lone goal for Abahani Limited. The winners led the first half 2-0. Abahani Limited got the first scoring chance in the 7th minute but Mehedi Hasan Uzzal's angular shot from inside the danger zone was cleared by Sheikh Jamal defender Sujan from the goal line after custodian Aminul brilliantly fisted the ball away. The next minute, Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club went ahead through Stephen Moga Bouga who, after taking a cross from Mamun, rushed forward and placed the ball into the net making a fool of Abahani custodian Sohel (1-0). Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club missed another scoring chance in the 28th minute when foreign recruit Femi Orunnimi failed to push the ball home from just two yards despite finding Abahani custodian Sohel alone under the bar. Ariful Islam doubled the Sheikh Jamal margin in the 30th minute with a header from inside the D-box utilising a corner kick from Femi Orunnimi at left flank (2-0). After the resumption, Ghanaian recruit Frank pulled one back for Abahani Limited in the 64th minute with an angular shot from inside the danger zone after a right-footed shot by teammate Awudu Ibrahim came his way after hitting the cross bar (2-1). Today's match: Chittagong Abahani vs Mohammedan SC (Cox's Bazar Stadium at 4:00 pm).