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Abahani beat Muktijoddha Sangsad by 2-1 goals

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November 21, 2000 

Dhaka-- (UNB) - Abahani Limited made a brilliant comeback to the title race of NBL Premier Division Football league beating Muktijoddha Sangsad KC by 2-1 goals in a crucial super-four match yesterday Monday).

The key match between two soccer powerhouses of the country was locked in a goalless position in the first half at the floodlit Bangabandhu National Stadium with some 15,000 crowd at the big bowl.

Abahani skipper-cum-national-medio Iqbal Hossain and Ghana striker Kennedy scored for the sky-blue Dhanmondi outfit while Liton netted the lone goal for the freedom fighters' team.

The tall and dark Ghana defender of Abahanai, Charles Ghansha, was adjudged the best player of the match to receive Tk 5,000 as prize money from the Managing Director of NBL Rafiqul Islam Khan.

With the day's much-needed victory, Abahani, which trailed behind the league leader Mohammedan by nine points during month-long break for cricket, smartly recovered the gap securing 30 points from 14 ties, beating Mohammedan (3-1) and Muktijoddha in a row.

However, the traditional Mohammedan SC still top the list securing 33 points while Mukitjoddha, despite the day's defeat, are in close second position having 32 points, playing 14 matches each.

The current national league champions Abahani Ltd started the day's campaign with an impressive note against their formidable rivals but they had to wait till 62nd minute to take lead due to poor finishing.

Skipper Iqbal put Abahani ahead in the 63rd minute by a well-judged header from goalmouth melee utilizing a left corner of defender Parth (1-0)amid thunderous cheers from jubilant fans.

Abahani's Ghana striker Kennedy doubled the margin just four minute later by a cool shot from danger zone capitalizing on an eye-catching cross from another striker Rokonuzzaman Kanchan (2-0).

After conceding two goals in quick succession, the freedom fighters team Muktijoddha changed their defensive strategy and started all out game making a series of attacks one after another.

They took its fruit very shortly, in the 73rd minute, when unmarked Liton found the Abahani net by an angular shot from box off a Sourav Raju cross from right wing (2-1).

Earlier, Uzbek booter Yorkin found the most easiest chance in the 11th minute but he sent the ball wide from close finding empty net when Abahani custodian Biplob fell down following a collision with Partha.

Muktijoddha got another golden opportunity in the 44th minute due to a faulty back pass of Abahani defender Partha but Farhad sent the ball outside although he beat opponent custodian Biplob.

Besides, Farhad and Amin Rana of Muktijoddha came close to score in the 75th and 78th minutes but both of them narrowly missed the target.

Muktijoddha custodian Aminul foiled two good attempts of Abahani's Sabir Pasha and Kanchan in the 26th and 88th minutes.

Yellow cards : Nazrul, Partha, Sabir Pasha and Kanchan (Abahani), Sujon and Liton(Muktijoddha).

Abahani Limited : Biplob, Tito, Nazrul, Ghansha, Partha, Iqbal, Sentu, Arman, Kennedy, Sabir Pasha (Pavel) and Galib (Kanchan).

Muktijoddha SKC : Aminul, Hasan Al Mamun, Prodeep, Rajani (Sourav Raju), Sujon, Shamsher, Tusher, Liton, Yorkin, Effiani (Frahad) and Amin Rana (Jony).

Referee: Stap Tangkhan (Thailand)