Six times champions Dhaka Abahani and Chittagong Abahani had a day to forget in the 12-team Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football Sunday.
At the Bir Sreshtho Matiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj, Federation Cup and Independence Cup champions Dhaka Abahani saw their title hopes fade. Saif Sporting beat them 4-2.
With the day’s result, Dhaka Abahani slipped up in the title race with 38 points from 18 matches, seven points behind defending champions and league leader Bashundhara Kings, which bagged 45 points from the same number of matches.
Saif regained the third spot in the league table, securing 33 points from 18 matches.
In the day’s match, Nigerian forward Mfon Udoh put Saif ahead in the 14th minute (1-0). Abahani’s Brazilian striker Dorielton Gomes restored parity in the 35th (1-1).
Abahani defender Monir Hossain scored an own goal in the 40th minute much to the delight of Saif fans (2-1).
Rahimuddin netted the third goal for Saif in the 65th minute and Rwandan defender Emery Bayisenge scored one more in the 73rd (4-1).
Costa Rican player Daniel Colindres pulled one back for Abahani in the 95th minute from a penalty (4-2).
In the day’s other match, former champions Sheikh Jamal beat Chittagong Abahani 2-0 at the Shaheed Dhirendranath Datta Stadium in Cumilla.
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Uzbek attacking midfielder Otabek Valizhonov scored both goals for Sheikh Jamal in the 29th and 78th minutes.
Despite the day’s win, Sheikh Jamal remained at the fourth spot in the league table, securing 33 points from 18 matches.
Chittagong Abahani remained at the sixth spot with 26 points from 18 matches.
In the day’s other match, Sheikh Russel beat Uttar Baridhara 5-3 at the Bashundhara Sports Complex.
Nigerian forward Ismahil Akinade scored twice; Mohammad Jewel, Nasiruddin and Mannaf Rabbi scored one each for Sheikh Russel.
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Samim Yasir Juel, Maruf Ahmed and Asadul Islam Sakib netted one each for Uttar Baridhara.
After the match, Sheikh Russel remained at the eighth spot in the table, securing 21 points from 18 matches. The ninth-placed Uttar Baridhara earned 13 points from 19 matches.
Source: United News of Bangladesh