Chittagong Abahani Limited shared points with newcomers Saif Sports Club as the opening match of the 12-team Walton Independence Cup Football Tournament ended in 1-1 draw at the country's premier sports venue-Bangabandhu National Stadium in the city on Tuesday, reports UNB.
Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu inaugurated the meet in the afternoon.
When the match was almost heading for a goalless draw, two surprise and quick goals by two teams in the stoppage time helped the both to put their names in the scorer list, but failed to change fate of the match.
After the scheduled 90 minutes of the play, Masuk Miah put Chittagong Abahani ahead in the 92nd minute (1-0) while Jewel Rana restored the parity for Saif SC the following minute of the stoppage time from a penalty (1-1).
Today (Wednesday), BPL runners-up Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club will encounter Dhaka Mohammedan SC at 3:30 pm while BPL champions Dhaka Abahani Limited will face Team BJMC in the day's other match at 5:45 pm.
Twelve participating teams are:
Group A: Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club, Rahmatganj MFS and Dhaka Mohammedan SC Group B- Brothers Union, Muktijoddha Sangsad Krira Chakra and Farashganj SC Group C- Dhaka Abahani Ltd, Sheikh Russel KC and Team BJMC
Group D: Chittagong Abahani Ltd, Arambagh KS and Saif Sporting Club (1-0) while Jewel Rana restored parity for Saif SC the following minute of the stoppage (93rd) from a penalty (1-1).
All the 12 participating teams of the just concluded Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football are taking part in the tournament, sponsored by Walton Group.
All the participating teams will receive appearance money of Tk 0.2 million (2 lakh) each.
The champion team will receive prize money of Tk 0.5 million while the runners-up team Tk 0.3 million.
The highest scorer and the best player of the tournament will be awarded with freezes while the best player of the final will get a 28" LED TV.
