Title contender Moha-mmedan SC earned a hard-fought 2-1 win over Chittagong Ababani in the day's lone second phase match of the B. League at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in the city Monday, reports UNB.
With this result, Mohammedan SC secured 32 points from 16 matches to share the second slot with Abahani Limited (15 matches), while Chittagong Abahani remained at 12 points from 17 outings. Muktijoddha Sangsad KC dominates the league table with 33 points from 17 matches.
In the day's match, Nigerian recruits Paul Mwach and Chirstina Emeka scored for Mohammedan SC while Santosh Shahukhal netted for Chittagong Abahani.
After a barren first half, Mohammedan SC scored two goals within two minutes.
Skipper Paul Mwach put the popular "black & white" Motijheel outfit ahead in the 52nd minute, heading home from inside the danger zone off a lofted close pass by Zahid from near the goal mouth (1-0).
Emeka doubled the winners' margin in the 53rd minute by a placing shot from inside the danger zone giving no chance to custodian Surender Kumar (2-0).
Santosh pulled one back for Chittagong Abahani in the 57th minute with a superb angular free kick from about 15 yards (2-1).
Besides, Mohammedan SC launched several attacks in both half of the match, but failed to convert any of those into goal. They launched the first attack in the 20th minute, but a header taken by Emeka narrowly went out beside the sidebar.
One minute later, Emeka's placing shot from inside the D-box narrowly missed the target.
Chittagong Abahani custodian Surender frustrated the Mohammedan SC fans as he fisted away a powerful Sharif shot 10 yards from goal mouth at the cost of corner in the 49th minute.
Chittagong Abahani got a scoring chance in the 53rd minute, but skipper Khokan Das' left wing angular shot from top of the D-box was gripped by opponent custodian Himel.
Mohammedan SC were denied a big-margin victory as Chittagong Abahani put up strong resistance in the first half.
Yellow cards: Divine (Mohammedan SC), Othello (Chittagong Abahani) Mohammedan SC: Himel, Arif, Peter, Biplob, Kamal, Divine, Mithu, Sharif, Paul, Emeka, and Zahid (Belal).
Chittagong Anahani: Narayan (Dhiman), Sohel, Mintu, Monir, Sultan Tripti), Khokon, Jahangir, Towdihul (Gobenda), Othello, Santosh and Surender.
Referee: Ram Krishna Ghos
Mohammedan SC edge past Chittagong Ababani 2-1
FE Team | Published: July 10, 2007 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00
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