Reigning champions Bashundhara Kings moved one step closer to their fifth successive league title after they beat Abahani Limited Dhaka by 2-1 goals in the crucial ABG Bashundhara Bangladesh Premier League 2023-24 match at the Bashundhara Kings Arena on Saturday.
Kings now have 37 points from 14 matches and they have a nine-point lead over second-placed Mohammedan Sporting Club, who have 28 points from 14 matches.
Kings will play their next match against Mohammedan at the Rafiq Uddin Bhuiyan Stadium in Mymensingh on 11 May and if they can beat the black and white outfit in that contest, they will retain the title for a record fifth time in a row.
Kings move one step closer to record fifth titleMeanwhile, after the defeat, Abahani Dhaka remained third in the points table with 25 points from 14 matches and their chance of winning the title is now all but over.
On this day at the Kings Arena, forward Rakib Hossain scored the opener for the hosts after Abahani defenders failed to clear the ball from goalmouth melee in the fifth minute.
The home side received an injury blow in the 19th minute when their veteran goalkeeper Anisur Rahman Zico left the ground with a severe head injury while trying to save a ball.
Brazilian midfielder Miguel Figueira then brought relief to the camp by extending the margin from a spot kick in the 34th minute.
The 24-year-old Brazilian was awarded the penalty after Abahani’s Afghan defender Milad Sheykh Soleimani illegally tackled him inside the box.
After half-time, Saint Vincentian forward Cornelius Stewart reduced the gap for Abahani, off a cross from Brazilian forward Washington Brandao dos Santos in the 50th minute.
Kings goalkeeper Mehedi Hasan Srabon, who came in place of injured Zico, failed to stop Abahani’s key striker in a head-to-head situation inside the box.
Both teams then created some opportunities but failed to extend the margin due to the lack of good finishers.
In the day’s other two games, Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra Ltd beat Fortis Football Club by 2-1 goals at the Muktijuddho Sriti Stadium in Rajshahi while Police FC beat Rahmatganj Muslim Friends Society by 2-0 goals in Mymensingh.
In Rajshahi, Gambian forward Pa Omar Babou gave Fortis FC a lead in the 31st minute but Nigerian defender Ganiu Atanda Ogungbe levelled the margin for Sheikh Russel KC in the 36th minute.
After half-time, Sheikh Russel sealed the fate of the match when Fortis defender Abdullah Omar scored a suicidal own goal in the 64th minute.
In Mymensingh, after the barren first-half, local forward Sahed Miah and Venezuelan forward Edward Enrique Morillo Jimenez scored one goal each for Police FC in the second half to confirm their win.
