Four-time champions Abahani Limited closed to gap with table-toppers Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club thanks to their 1-0 win over Muktijoddha Sangsad Krira Chakra in the Bangladesh Premier League in Dhaka on Monday. Abahani now moved to 25 points from 12 matches, just three shy of Jamal, who until a draw against Feni Soccer in this round, were the runaway leaders.
Muktijoddha, who also lost to Abahani 3-1 in the first phase, remained stuck to their fourth place with 18 points they collected from the previous matches.
Leonildo Suares, the Portuguese playmaker, scored the only goal of the match in the 28th minute, proving his worth once again after netting a brace against Jamal in the Independence Cup quarter-final.
Muktijoddha, who dominated possession, had to return empty-handed as their Nigerian attacking duo Nkwocha Kingsley and Sunday Chizuba wasted a series of scoring chances.
Muktijoddha came into this game buoyed by a 4-2 win over Team BJMC but missed the services of their in-form striker Eleta Kingley through injury.
Kingsley missed a sitter seven minutes from the start when Imtiaz Sultan Jitu curled a cross from the left flank found the unmarked Nigerian in the middle of the box, but the striker’s header flew over the bar.
Three minutes later Kingsley headed again over the bar, wasting another opportunity.
Abahani, who were mostly busy defending the attacks, scored a goal against the run of play as Shahedul Alam Shahed provided a neat through pass from almost halfway for Suares who broke into right of the penalty area and slotted the ball past Muktis keeper Rasel Mahmud Liton at the far post.
Abahani keeper Sohel produced a brilliant save in the 42nd minute while Imtiaz Sultan Jitu provided a through pass to Nkwocha, who entered the box but his shot was blocked by Sohel.
Ghanaian marksman Osei Morrison spurned a golden opportunity to double Abahani’s lead in the 70th minute after receiving a pass ball from Suares. Morrison dodged past his marker and rounded Muktis keeper Liton and then shot wide despite having an empty net.
Chizuba had the chance to rescue a point for Muktis but his injury-time shot from the middle of the box was blocked by an Abahani defender.
-With New Age input
