Abahani closer to title

Title contenders Abahani moved closer to regaining the Bangladesh Premier League title as the the four-time champions beat archrivals Mohammedan 2-1 at the Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni Stadium in Gopalganj yesterday.

The 12th win in 18 matches took Abahani to 42 points, five clear of nearest rivals Chittagong Abahani. The Dhanmondi giants now need only eight points from their remaining four matches to take an unassailable lead in the title race.

Abahani's remaining matches are against holders Sheikh Jamal DC, former champions Sheikh Russel KC, relegation battlers Uttar Baridhara Club and mid-table Rahmatganj MFS.

On the other hand, Mohammedan SC, who have not won a league title since 2002, stayed at 10th position with 17 points from 18 outings.

Even though the once popular Dhaka Derby was witnessed by a full-house crowd in Gopalganj yesterday, the match itself failed to live up to its popular billing.

Abahani were clear favourites against Mohammedan, who are in a battle to avoid relegation with probably 'the worst squad' in club history and it would have been a surprise had Abahani not repeated the feat of their first meeting in which they handed a 3-0 defeat to the Black and Whites.

Abahani coach George Kottan chose to start with long-serving Ghanaian defender Samad Youssif instead of English midfielder Jonathon David, who along with compatriot Lee Tuck and Nigerian Sunday Chizoba, have razed the opponents in the last three matches. Samad tried to keep the Abahani backline unscathed and managed to do so for most of the time before Mohammedan pulled one back in injury time.

Abahani got off to a sparkling start and came close to taking the lead in the very first minute when Jewel Rana advanced into the box from the right and played a cut-back for Emon Babu, but the midfielder's shaky side-volley hardly troubled Mohammedan goalkeeper Mohammad Nehal.

Sunday, the league's top-scorer was then provided with a through ball by Jewel, but the Nigerian saw his back-heel flick narrowly miss the target four minutes later. Sunday then floated the ball over the bar from inside the box in the 36th minute.       

Samad dispossessed Towhidul Alam Sabuj inside the box in the 49th minute before Abahani took the lead two minutes later, with Lee Tuck converting a spot kick after Nehal had blocked Jewel Rana just inside the box.

Sunday doubled the lead in the 71st minute by striking his 19th goal of the campaign as the Nigerian snatched the ball in the midfield and played one-two with substitute Wahead Ahmed before entering the box and placing the ball home with an angular shot after rounding off Nehal.

Mohammedan managed a consolation goal deep into injury time when Pouemi Landry tapped in a low cross from Shahadat, but it was too little too late for the Black and Whites.