An early strike from Jamal Hossain was enough to secure full points for Abahani Limited as they Sky Blues edged past Team BJMC by 1-0 to join Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club at the top of the Bangladesh Premier League table yesterday.
The final score however does not explain the series of missed opportunities by both teams after Abahani took the lead inside four minutes at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.
Though BJMC initiated the first real attack of the game when Aminur Rahman Shojib broke into the box to receive a through pass from Ismael Bangoura only to see his delicate shot saved by the onrushing goalkeeper Sohel, it was Abahani who took the lead through a soft goal.
Jamal gathered the ball just outside the box and was lucky to score from the weak shot at the far corner as BJMC goalkeeper Arifuzzaman Hemel made hash out of the regular save.
Abahani, who are enjoying a fine defensive form with four clean sheets out of five matches, the most in the league, however should consider them lucky for not conceding as Sajib squandered two glorious scoring chances in the 28th and 36th minute.
In the first instance it was Sajib’s header that inched over the open net while later he missed a sitter inside the box after Ismael Bangoura paved the route for an easy strike.
Abahani also had their moments, but Osei Morrison was not able to capitalise on the half-chances that fell his way. In the 71st minute the striker missed the target on a chipped cross from Meshu while later he created his own chance, by stealing the ball from BJMC defender Amit Khan, but failed to convert it again.
The Dhanmondi based traditional giants sit beside Sheikh Jamal at the top with 13points from five matches while after the same number of matches BJMC remain fifth with six points.
