Bangladesh Premier League Football observed one of the greatest day of upsets in top flight football as all three joint league leaders Abahani Limited, Bashundhara Kings and Saif Sporting Club lost their respective matches Saturday.
Bashundhara, the defending champion of the league lost in the historical encounter at Shaheed Dhirendranath Stadium Comilla, that staged its first ever BPL game, as designated host Mohammedan Sporting Club Limited beat them by a solitary goal.
In the crowd-filled stadium, that was under doubt of hosting the match due to unsatisfactory condition following some renovation, Nigerian Ugochukwu Obi Moneke scored the only goal of the match to hand Kings their first defeat of the season.
Mohammedan, who lost to Abahani in their last game 4-0, looked spirited in front of their home crowd, but Kings got the first chance in the 13th minute when Towhidul Alam Sobuj failed to convert Kings’ World Cupper Daniel Colindres’ cross.
But Moneke did not miss the chance as his shot from outside the box in the 24th minute beat Kings’ goalkeeper Anisur Rahman Zico.
Kings were desperate to come back in the game but their substitute forward Rimon Hossain wasted two opportunities in the 56th and 71st minute.
Abahani's Nabib Newaj Jibon in action Dhaka Tribune
Argentine player Nicolas Delmonte also missed a goal from vantage point following a pass from Ibrahim in injury time.
With the loss, Bashundhara now have 10 points from five games and descended to fourth spot with inferior goal difference to Chittagong Abahani Limited, Abahani and Saif Sporting.
But both Abahani and Saif failed to take advantage of Kings’ slip-up.
In the battle of Abahanis, the Dhaka side lost by two goals to nil to see the Chittagong outfit get on top of the table thanks to goal difference.
Abahani could have gone in front in the 16th minute at their home ground of Bangabandhu National Stadium, but Kervens Belfort’ header on a long Rayhan Hasan throw went over the bar.
After a barren first half, Charles Didier got the first goal of the match with a powerful shot following a Rakib Hossain cutback.
Bashundhara Kings' Daniel Colindres' in action against Mohammedan in Comilla BFF
Abahani increased the tempo for an equalizer although it was the Chittagong side who got another goal in injury time not only to seal the deal but also reach the top of the table with equal 10 points and +5 in goal difference.
Chittagong Abahani though have scored nine goals while Abahani have eight.
Sheikh Jamal got their third consecutive win as they beat Saif 2-1 at Rafiq Uddin Bhuiyan Stadium in Mymensingh.
Ballo Famoussa scored a brace, netting in the 14th and 46th minute before Saif’s Foysal Ahmed grabbed one in the 80th minute to reduce the margin of defeat.
In the other game of the day, Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra beat Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad Krira Chakra 2-0 at Sylhet District Stadium.
Alison Udoka and Rafael Odin scored one each to help Sheikh Russel reach five points from equal number of games, while Muktijoddha remained at the bottom with only one point.
