Also read: Abahani begin with exciting win as top-flight football underway
The five-time professional league champion Abahani dominated the game from the very beginning but struggled to create clear-cut goal-scoring chances on the waterlogged pitch. Rubel Miah was seen initiating attacks through the right flank on several occasions but it was not enough to test the solid defending from Farashganj, led admirably by Gambian defender Malick Mendy. Croatian head coach Drago Mamic was forced to make an early substitution in the 26th minute when Sohel Rana was replaced by midfielder Imtiaz Sultan Jitu. The first half ended goalless with only one notable chance when in-form Nigerian striker Emeka Darlington headed over the bar following a cross from Rubel.
The Sky Blues' amazing unbeaten run of 23 matches in the top-flight league came to an end with the surprising defeat against the Old Dhaka outfit DHAKA TRIBUNETouhidur Zaman Liton put Farashganj ahead against the run of play in the 76th minute, following a brisk counter-attack.
Receiving a lob inside the box, Liton skipped past defender Rayhan Hasan and goalkeeper Sohel before slotting home calmly into an empty net.
Rayhan could have done better to stop Liton.
Rubel tried his luck with a curved shot from the top of the box in the 88th minute only to see his effort fly inches over the crossbar.Also read: Rahmatganj make flying start
Abahani missed a series of chances during the injury time of more than five minutes. Tall midfielder Landing Darboe came off the bench, replacing defender Samad Yussif, a minute after the goal but the Gambian squandered the best chance of the game in the 93rd minute, despite being in a one-on-one situation inside the box. Rubel shot over the bar from another attack moments later. Meanwhile, Mohammedan Sporting Club will face rising powerhouse Chittagong Abahani Limited on Thursday at the BNS while Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club and Team BJMC take on each other in the day’s other game at the same venue.RESULTFarashganj 1 (Liton 76) 0 Abahani THURSDAY'S MATCHESMohammedan v Ctg Abahani, BNS, 4:30pmSk Jamal v BJMC, BNS, 6:45pm
