Chittagong Abahani took the solo lead of the Bangladesh Premier League’s points table thanks to a 2-0 win over Brothers Union at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Sunday. Brothers’ Congolese forward Siyo Zunapio gifted Chittagong Abahani an own goal in the first half before Towhidul Alam Sabuz returned to his goal scoring spree in the later half to seal the victory.That was the sixth goal for the local striker who is currently the top goal scorer of the league
that is known to be dominated by foreign strikers, especially African ones for years.
After their seventh win in eight matches, Chittagong outfit were on 22 points, three points clear to Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi which played one match less while Brothers suffered their fifth defeat that kept them in the
10th position with five points.
Chittagong Abahani’s head coach Saiful Bari Titu fielded local striker Shakhwat Hossain Rony for the first time in the starting XI and rested Nigerian forward Afeez Oladipo.
But the national forward wasted a great chance in the 17th minute
when his attempt following a cross of Abdullah from right flank went straight to Brothers’ keeper Abdul Kader.
Sabuz, who scored five goals in the first five matches, wasted a chance minutes later when his curving attempt from left corner of the box went inches over the crossbar.
Chittagong Abahani went ahead in the 39th minute through an own goal when Mamunul Islam saw his free-kick fell inside the six-yard box and Brothers defender
Ashraful Karim’s poor clearance hit Siyo Zunapio’s back head before rolling into the net.
That was the eighth own goal in the league, which has seen unusual amount of own goals in this season largely due to heavy and soggy field.
Sabuz struck the second for his side in the 81st minute placing home
into far post following a short cross of Mansur Amin from the top right corner of the box.
Meanwhile, the second scheduled match between Abahani Limited and Muktijoddha Sangshad Krira Chakra was postponed due to unplayable condition of the field following a heavy downpour hours before the first match.
The match will be held today and the remaining fixtures of the league will be bodily shifted.
RESULT
Chittagong Abahani 2 (Siyo Zunapio 39 OG, Towhidul Alam Sabuz 81) v Brothers Union 0
-With New Age input
