Dhaka, July 19: Abahani Limited routed Sheikh Russel KC 5-2 in the 3^rd phase of Nitol Tata Bangladesh Premier Football League at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Saturday.

Ghanaian forward Osei Morrison put Abahani ahead in the 10th minute when his sliding header off a Atiqur Rahman Meshu cross from the right went into back of the net.

Russell leveled the margin just seven minute later through Shakil Ahmed, as the unmarked left winger volleyed home past Abahani keeper Sultan Ahmed Shakil after a low cross from Sumon inside the box.

Abahani took the lead again in the 24th minute and this time Ghanaian midfielder Awudu Ibrahim’s angular shot from inside the box found the back of the net after a fine work by Portuguese forward Leonildo Soares.  

Morrison missed a glorious opportunity to extend the lead in the 31st minute as he was found unmarked and one-on-one with Muktis keeper but shot wide.

Morrison, however, rectified his mistake by netting his double in the 39th minute. Shahedul Alam Shahed’s shot was blocked by Biplob but Morrison was in the right place to tap home on the rebound.

Abahani continued the rout as Shahed extended the lead to 4-1 four minutes into the second half. A Soares minus found Morrison at the edge of the box and the Ghanaian passed the ball to Shahed who curled the ball into the far post. 

Morrison completed his first hattrick in the league this season in the 61st minute. The Ghanaian striker received a Waly Faisal cross with his chest and placed home into the far post from six-yard box.

Sohel Rana reduced the margin to 5-2 two minutes before the stipulated time placing the ball past Sultan following a cross of Bappi Hasan Murad.

After this win Abahani earned 49 points from 26 matches while Russel remained their previous collecting of 32 points from 26 matches.