Abahani begin with bang

Defending champions Dhaka Abahani kicked off their campaign with a facile 3-1 victory over newcomers Biyanibazar SC in the opening match of the Citycell Bangladesh League at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Sunday.
Ghanaian forward Sheriff Deen Mohammed scored a brace finding the net in either half of the match while in-form midfielder Ujjal netted the other for Abahani. Biyanibazar midfielder Toufiq Hasan Gafur reduced the margin in the second half.
Abahani started with a purpose and stamped their dominance from the very beginning, although their star Ghanaian forward Awudu Ibrahim missed the game with an injury and reliable defender Rajani was also rested. Ghanaian midfielder Md Awal started the match but limped off with a hamstring strain in the initial minutes. However, Sheriff’s impressive performance provided Abahani the boost and their opponents failed to match their quality football. He scored two and set up the other.
Biyanibazar cornered Abahani with a series of attacks after conceding two goals but Abahani proved their superiority by hitting back and taking a two-goal cushion again.
Abahani took the lead in the 5th minute as Sheriff surged ahead with a long ball from Enamul from the midfield and rounded his marker Ashraful before putting the ball into the far corner with a fierce grounder from the middle of the box.
Biyanibazar initiated some counter-attacks with their Guinean attacking duo of Mohammed Lamine Soumah and Mohammed Conte leading from the front and skipper Faisal Mahmood and Gafur roaming the flanks. In the 30th minute defender Bappi’s free-kick from the left wing was punched to safety by Abahani goalkeeper Biplob.
Sheriff inspired Abahani for the second goal as he evaded the offside trap in the 34th minute to meet a Samad Yousiff through pass and his precise cross from the right flank found Ujjal in the ideal position to tap the ball home.
Abahani were a bit relaxed in the second half that allowed Biyanibazar to come back in the game. Mohammed Conte dashed down the right flank and cut the ball back to Gafur whose weak placing shot beat an outrushing Biplob with two Abahani defenders failing to react.
The goal came as a tonic for Biyanibazar and they piled up pressure on their opponents but the champions regained their rhythm and tore apart the Biynibazar defence with a wave of attacks. Enamul and Zahed Parvez both were denied by keeper Sultan who pulled off two diving saves. But four minutes from time Sheriff sealed the fate of the match.
The tall Ghanaian rushed through the defence on a through ball from Shahed and moved diagonally before hitting the back of the net with a neat angular shot.
Abahani coach Amalesh Sen expressed satisfaction with the performance while Biyanibazar coach Joshi complained that he was robbed of a penalty in the second half.

Courtesy of NewAgebd