English striker Charlie Sheringham netted a brace as Saif Sporting Club strolled to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Chittagong Abahani in their 21st match of the Bangladesh Premier League at Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka Sunday.
Meanwhile, an injury-time goal by Nigerian forward Kingsley Chigozie helped Mohammedan Sporting Club Limited return to winning ways as they beat Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad Krira Chakra in a thrilling encounter in the day's other game at the same venue.
Sunday's results made sure Lt. Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club will finish the premier league as runners-up with 47 points, four behind champion Abahani Limited. Chittagong Abahani remained third with 43 points while Saif Sporting are fourth with two points less, followed by Mohammedan (29). Muktis remained third from bottom with 17 points.
Sheringham put Saif Sporting ahead in the 26th minute, heading home a cross from Mohammad Ibrahim from the right flank. Sheringham doubled the lead eight minutes later with an opportunist header after Ibrahim's free-kick from the left flank deflected off Chittagong Abahani's Nigerian defender Alison Udoka.
Ibrahim added one more goal in the injury time of the first half. Following Zahid Hossain's pass, the young winger saw his grounder from the right side of the box deflected off an opponent player before rolling home into the far post.
Mohammedan, on the other hand, had to toil hard to beat Muktijoddha, despite the former going 2-0 up in the opening half with one goal each coming from Haitian striker Augustin Walson and Kingsley Chigozie. Nigerian forward Magalan Awala stunned the Black and White with two equalisers in the 73rd and 90th minute but Kingsley's strike in the third minute of added time earned Mohammedan their ninth win in the league this season.
RESULTSSaif Sporting 3 (Sheringham 26, 34, Ibrahim 45+1) 0 Ctg Abahani
Mohammedan 3 (Walson 19, Chigozie 38, 90+3) 2 Muktijoddha (Awala 73, 90)
MONDAY'S MATCHESArambagh v BJMC, 4:30pmRahmatganj v Sk Russel, 6:45pmBoth the games will be held at Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka
