Rousing start for hosts

Hosts Chattogram Abahani got the Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup to a rousing start with a 4-1 win over defending champions TC Sports Club at the MA Aziz Stadium in Chattogram yesterday.

Half the capacity of the stadium was filled and those who turned up for the opening match got their money’s worth as the champions of the 2015 edition romped to a 3-0 lead in the first half, before eventually completing comprehensive victory.

Chattogram Abahani had won the opening edition of the tournament four years ago with a starting eleven made up of borrowed players, and if the early signs are a good enough reflection of the team’s strength, the port city side will be one of the biggest contenders for the title, with a starting  eleven once again made up of borrowed players -- including four from the Bangladesh national team.

In front of the home crowd, Chattogram Abahani made a frantic start as Nigerian forward Chinedu Matthew scored in the eighth minute with a powerful shot on a cut-back from Arifur Rahman.

Even before the crowd had time to settle in their seats, two minutes later young defender Yeasin Arafat made them stand up and admire what was an excellent floated shot from the left flank, beating TC Sports goalkeeper Ibrahim Nadheem Adam.

The hosts continued their dominance and Luka Rotkovic almost scored the team’s third in the 37th minute, but the Montenegrin forward was denied by the woodwork after the TC Sports goalkeeper had palmed away Sohel Rana’s header from point-blank range.

But it only took two more minutes for the third goal to come, this time Matthew scoring with a flick on a cross from Sohel.

The port city side, despite taking their foot off the gas a bit with three substitutions, got a fourth goal on 71 minutes when Rotkovic took advantage of Adam’s howler, stabbing home from close range after Arif’s cross was spilled by the TC Sports goalkeeper.

The defending champions, who came here with a much less potent side than the last edition, got a consolation goal two minutes before the end of regulation time with a powerful header from Ismail Easa on a cross from Mohamed Samir.

The TC Sports coach and captain blamed their hectic journey and late arrival as well as mismanagement with their hotel accommodation for the heavy defeat while Chattogram Abahani coach Maruful Haque said he was only 60 per cent satisfied by his team’s performance even if a win in the first match is always very important.