Abahani dig deep to keep title hopes alive
Title contenders Abahani survived a big scare as they notched a 3-2 win over 10-man Chittagong Abahani in a Bangladesh Premier League encounter at the Shaheed Dhirendhranath Datta Stadium in Cumilla yesterday.
Brazilian forward Dorielton Gomes ensured Abahani's title challenge would not be derailed with a brace as his side exacted revenge for a 3-2 defeat in their earlier league meeting this season.
After their 11th win of the season, Abahani remain six points behind league leaders Bashundhara Kings, who are top with 44 points.
Six-time champions Abahani had a 19-match unbeaten run over their namesakes in the professional league before a first defeat in the 2019-20 season. However, that season was cancelled due to the pandemic.
Although Mario Lemos' side dominated and created numerous chances, Chittagong Abahani goalkeeper Saiful Islam stood tall, denying both Dorielton and Daniel Conlindres in the first 15 minutes.
Afghanistan midfielder Omid Popalzay then gave them the lead against the run of play by curling home a free-kick in the 32nd minute. But the lead lasted only two minutes, with Dorielton heading home a well-judged cross from Colindres from the left flank.
The port-city outfit also hit back quickly, restored their lead four minutes later as Peter Thankgod converted from the spot after Mehdi Hasan fouled Candy Agbane in the box.
Abahani exerted greater pressure at the start of the second half and nearly found the equaliser twice, but Colindres was denied by the post before Saiful again came to the rescue, thwarting Raphael Augustin after he had danced past four opponents.
Chittagong Abahani then suffered a massive blow after Candy was given his marching orders in the 56th minute for a second bookable offence.
Abahani capitalised on that advantage as Dorielton again nodded home, this time meeting a corner from Colindres in the 71st minute. Left-back Nurul Nayeem then saw his cross deflect off a defender into the far post in the 77th minute.
At the Birshreshtha Shaheed Matiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj, bottom of the table Swadhinata KS surprised 10-man Saif SC with a 2-1 win to end a run of seven straight defeats.
After squandering a penalty in the first half, Emeka Ogbogh gave Saif SC a 57th-minute lead, which was cancelled out by Zillur Rahman 10 minutes later. Serbian Ivan Maric struck the winning goal from the spot in the 85th minute.
Despite a second win from 17 matches, Swadhinata remain bottom with nine points while Saif are third with 30 points.
Elsewhere, Rahmatganj played out a 1-1 draw with Uttar Baridhara Club. Rahmatganj have 11 points from 17 matches, while ninth-placed Baridhara raised their tally to 13.