Defending champions Abahani Limited were effectively thrown out of the title race of the Bangladesh Premier League after suffering a 3-1 defeat in their penultimate match at the hands of
ten-man BJMC at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Monday.
Toklis Ahmed bagged a brace while Ismael Bangoura netted his seventh goal of the campaign before Team BJMC were reduced to ten men in first half stoppage time as midfielder Omar Faruq Babu picked up his second yellow card.
Sakhawat Hossain Rony scored a consolation goal for the Sky Blues in the second half.
With their second defeat in 15 matches, Abahani were stuck on 29 points in the standings, three points behind leaders Sheikh Russell who have played a game less. Sheikh
Jamal are in third with an outside chance of claiming the title, having accumulated 28 points from 14 matches.
Russell now have the upper hand over both Abahani and Jamal before they embark on their penultimate match against Jamal on Wednesday. A win for Russell or even a draw will be enough to ensure Russell’s first ever league title as well as confirming their quest for a treble this season.
A win or draw against Jamal will mean Russell will take an unassailable lead going into their final league match against Feni Soccer Club. Even a defeat against Jamal will keep Russell’s hopes alive as long as they ensure three points in their final league game.
Title aspirants Jamal losing at the hands of Feni Soccer brightened Abahani’s chances but a 1-1 draw against arch-rivals Mohammedan Sporting Club in the previous match dented Abahani’s hopes of claiming their fifth league title.
Meanwhile, away at the Shaheed Salam Stadium in Feni, Mohammedan played out a 1-1 draw against hosts Feni Soccer to finish fourth in the standings with 25 points from 16 matches, a place below their previous year finish. Feni Soccer have 12 points from 15 matches to stay third from bottom.
RESULT
Abahani Ltd 1 (Rony 77) v Team BJMC 3 (Toklis 16, 42, Bangoura 30); Feni 1 (Anthony 31) Mohammedan 1 (Morison 71)
-With New Age input
