A brace each from Senegalese Camara Sarba and Nigerian Sunday Chizoba helped Abahani Limited register a thumping 5-0 win over Team BJMC in their second match of the Independence Cup at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Saturday. In the other match of the day, Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club all-but confirmed their semi-final berth after a narrow 1-0 win over Uttar Baridhara at the same venue.
After a shocking 1-1 draw against Feni Soccer Club in their first match, Abahani’s striking trio of — Sarba, Chizoba and British Lee Tuck — put a combined effort to give their team the first win of the season.
Abahani went into the break with a 2-0 lead, thanks to their right winger Tuck, who gave the Sky Blues the lead in the 23rd minute before assisting Sarba to open his account five minutes later.
In the second half, the winners scored three more goals, one by Sarba in the 67th minute while Chizoba added two goals in the last six minutes of the game.
Tuck was a constant danger for BJMC from the kick-off as his blistering pace down the right flank gave Abahani the deserving lead in the 23rd minute. A Waly Faysal free-kick fell into a goalmouth melee and Tuck was there to send the ball home.
BJMC were reduced to 10-man just six minutes into second half when their Nigerian midfielder Samson Iliasu received his second yellow card for simulation inside the opponents penalty area.
Abahani extended their lead in the 67th minute when Sarba bagged his second goal of the game after Chizoba’s initial attempt was blocked by BJMC keeper.
Chizoba finally found the opponents net in the 84th minute firing home into the far post with an angular right footed attempt from the top of the box.
The Nigerian forward netted his second just minute before the stipulated time to complete the rout.
Meanwhile earlier on the day, an own goal from Uttar Baridhara defender Monir gave Bangladesh Premier League champions Sheikh Jamal their third win of the competition.
Jamal, who scored seven goals against Mohammedan and Brothers Union in their last two games, failed to continue that spark against Baridhara.
-With New Age input
