Dhaka, May 25: Abahani Limited celebrated a hattrick of professional league titles when they brushed aside Farashganj 4-0 in their penultimate Bangladesh League match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium today.
Two-goal Enamul Haque set up one for Abul Hossain and was involved in Rajani Kanta Barman’s first goal in the competition as the sky-blues secured their third consecutive crown in the top competition of the country with a match in hand against archrivals Mohammedan.
Amalesh Sen’s men are now nine points ahead of their nearest competitors Mohammedan, who are on 58 points with only two matches left.
After a dull and barren first half, the Dhaka giants started playing very aggressively to break the deadlock and finally it was veteran defender Rajani, who switched to rightback after the break, who gave the side a 1 – 0 lead on the hour. Rajani sent a high ball from the flank and Farashganj goalkeeper Titu failed to fist it properly under pressure from his fellow defender Mahfuz. The ball looped back to their own post and although a lurking Enamul failed to get a touch, he made sure no defender could clear it before the ball crossed the line.
Abul, who replaced Shahed just four minutes after the first goal, doubled the lead when he neatly placed a cuback by Enamul from the right to make it 2-0 in the 77th minute.
The league’s highest scorer Enamul raised his tally to 20 when he scored from a cross by former under-19 national player Shohag. The promising booter delivered to the long haired striker near the six-yard box and the national booter just tapped the ball to finish successfully in the 80th minute.
The on-song striker got another good support from the youngster Shohag, as he headed home a corner kick by the junior playmate to get his 21st goal of the championship just before the long whistle.
Although there were a few hundred supporters, Abahani had noisy bands play music throughout the proceedings.
Biplob Bhattacharjee, goalkeeper and Abahani skipper was very happy after confirming the hattrick title win. “We played fair and we won the race,” he said after the match. While answering a question about the very small number of spectators in the gallery, he said, “It might be because of long gaps in the league.”
“I was under a little pressure as a national striker playing for a champion side. It was a big responsibility for me, to contribute for achieving the team’s goal and I am very happy that I could do it. I will try my best to finish the league as the highest scorer,” said Abahani’s reliable forward Enamul.
The Dhanmondi-based team’s manager Satyajit Das Rupu was very excited and emotional after this historic victory. He said, “It’s a unique feeling to be the three-time champions in the country’s most prestigious league. It’s our teamwork that took us to this height.”
Abahani will face Mohammedan at the same venue in their final round game.Next > |
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