Holders Abahani were off to a winning start in the 2022-23 season as they defeated Uttara FC 2-0 in the curtain-raiser Independence Cup at Birshrestha Matiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj Tuesday.
Brazilian striker Getterson Alves scored on his debut in Sky Blues jersey with a volley, before an own goal by Uttara defender Rakib Hossain doubled the lead in the opening half.
Portuguese head coach Mario Lemos fielded more than half of the starting eleven (six) players who made debut for the Dhanmondi based club.
Getterson started up front with Costa Rican World Cupper Daniel Colindres, and new local signing Foysal Ahmed Fahim on the wings.
Nigerian center-forward Peter Nworah and Nigeria-born naturalized Bangladesh striker Eleta Kingsley were not included in the squad.
Brazilian midfielder and captain Raphael Augusto was accompanied by two new recruits Meraj Hossain Opu and Sohel Rana in midfield.
There were also two new defenders, Syrian Mohammad Yusef and Riyadul Hasan, alongside Sushanto Tripura and Nurul Naim Faisal, while Mahfuz Hasan Pritom started between the posts.
Abahani will face Air Force football team in their second Group C match this Saturday.
RESULT
Abahani 2 (Getterson 34, Rakib 42 OG) Uttara FC 0
