Abahani win BPL title
Dhaka, July 3: Abahani Limited emerged as the champions of the Grameenphone Bangladesh Premier League with a 2-2 draw against Muktijoddha at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Tuesday.
With the draw Abahani finished their campaign with 45 points and at the top of the table. Muktijoddha concluded their match with 44 points.
Abahani opened the Muktijoddha defence in the 11th minute but Awudu Ibrahim’s volley on the cross of Jahid Hossain went above the crosspiece.
Muktijoddha hit back in the 13th minute as Nigerian forward Sunday Chizoba moved forward with a through pass of Brazilian midfielder Lima however the Sunday’s fierce shot was punched for a corner by Abahani goalie Zia.
But Sunday did not make a mistake in the 15th minute after Ariful receiving a Lima corner, cut the ball back to Sunday in the middle of the box and Sunday hit the middle of the net (1-0).
In the 23rd minute Lima’s free kick from the right flank flew past the Muktijoddha sidepost.
Twum Frank, the Ghanaian forward of Abahani saw his powerful drive go straight to Muktijoddha goalie Mostak who punched the ball to safety.
Awudu Ibrahim curved a free kick from the left flank in the 41st minute but it flew past the crosspiece.
Abahani piled up pressure and in the 68th minute defender Shujon’s shot from a goalmouth melee deflected off a Muktijoddha defender from the goal line.
Substitute forward Shakhawat Rony leveled the scoreline in the 70th minute after midfielder Jahid Hossain did the hardwork in the left flank and sent a low cross to Rony who tapped home in his second attempt (1-1).
But Sunday Chizoba scored again in the 73rd minute as he placed a Limafree kick past Abahani goalie Zia in near post (2-1).
But it was Jahid Hossain who brought Abahani back again. Jahid headed a Yoko Samnick long ball into the hands of Mostak and sent the ball into the net with a second header in the 84th minute. (2-2)
It was overall Abahani’s fourth professional league title.