UNB, Dhaka :
Defending champions Bashundhara Kings came close to 5th title of the Bashundhara Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football eliminating six times champions Dhaka Abahani Limited by 2-1 goals at their home ground –floodlight Bashundhara Kings Arena — here Saturday evening.
They clearly dominated the first half by 2-0 goals.
The Kings, which clinched BPL title for the 4th consecutive times from 2018-2019 season to 2022-23 season (BPL abandoned in 2019-1020 season due to Covid-19 Pandemic), now poised for the 5th BPL crown securing 37 points from 14 matches, nine points ahead of the nearest rivals Mohammedan SC and 12 points ahead of the 3rd ranked Dhaka Abahani Ltd.
After the day’s match, Dhaka Abahani Ltd are virtually eliminated from the title race with 25 points from 14 matches while Federation Cup champions Dhaka Mohammedan SC keep their very slim hope alive with 28 points from 14 encounters, with all teams have four matches to spare.
In the day’s crucial match, local forward Rakib Hossain scored first for the Kings in the very 5th minute of the match (1-0) while Brazilian midfielder Miguel Figueira doubled the winners margin in the 35th minute from a penalty (2-0).
St. Vincent forward Cornelius Stewart pulled the Abahani margin one back scoring the lone goal in the 50th minute (2-1).
In the other match Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra returned to winning streak as they came from behind defeating Fortis Football Club by 2-1 goals in the ABG Bangladesh Premier League football held at Rajshahi district Stadium in Rajshahi.
In the day’s match, Gambian forward Pa Omar Babou put Fortis Football Club ahead in the 31st minute but the lead lasted for few minutes when Ganiu Ogungbe restored the parity for Sheikh Russel in the 36th minute of the match.
After the breather, Sheikh Russel took 2-1 lead when Fortis defender Abdullah Omar scored a suicidal goal in the 64th minute of the match.
Fortis Football Club however tried their best to stage a fight back in the match but they could not convert any due to lack of proper finishing.
The day’s win saw Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra improve their tally to 14 points from 14 matches while Fortis Football Club remained at their previous collection of 16 points playing the same number of matches.
Earlier, in the first phase, the two teams played out to a goalless draw in a match held at Bashundhara Kings Arena in Dhaka.
