Abahani stand atop Mohammedans with last minute goal

Dhaka, August 7: Coming back on the list of winners, defending champions Dhaka Abahani Ltd has defeated arch rivals Dhaka Mohammedan Sporting Club 1-0 in the ‘Saif Power Battery Bangladesh Premier League 2017’ at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Monday.

Abahani forward Rubel scored the winning goal at the dying minutes of the match, giving the sky blues the chance to celebrate at the 1st minute of the extra time.

The Dhaka derby pumped adrenaline in the 21st minute when Mohammedan’s Nigerian forward Emeka Darlington’s header from Waly Faisal’s cross narrowly sailed passed the crosspiece.

Abahani midfielder Abdul Baten Mojumdar Komol, running down the right flank, led a quick counter attack in the 31st minute, but Mohammedan goalie Mamun Khan managed to flick it off.

Abahani piled up pressure after the change of ends, and watchman Mamun Khan saved the black and whites yet again in the 62nd minute when Ghanaian defender Samad Yusif tried to break the deadlock by unleashing a 25 yarder shot that Mamun saved from the corner of the post.

The very next minute Mamun was in his best again by diving full stretch to block Abahani midfielder Shahedul Alam’s shot in the far post.

Abahani and Emeka Darlington’s frustration was intensified in the 70th minute when the Nigerians powerful header on cross of Rubel Miah ricocheted off the crosspiece.

Abahani was fortunate in the 89th minute of the match as Mohammedan’s Nigerian forward Nkowcha Kinsley missed the easiest of chances failing to tap home a low cross of midfielder Anik Hossain.

However, Rubel Miah appeared as the hero of the day in the added minutes of the game, taking a ball from forward Nabib Newaz Jiban and beating Mamun Khan in the far post (1-0).

Abahani now have six points from three matches while it was the thrid consecutive loss for Mohammedans.