Osei Morrison slammed a sublime hat-trick in Abahani Limited’s biggest league win of the seaosn, when the Sky Blues thrashed Sheikh Russel KC 5-2 in their Nitol Tata Bangladesh Premier Football League yesterday.
The Ghanaian striker served a poor run in the first two phase of the league, netting just three goals in 17 outings, but sprung back to his usual goal scoring spree by scoring nine goals in his last eight games.
Along with the hat-trick, the former Mohammedan SC star also assisted Shahedul Alam Shahed while his compatriot Awudu Ibrahim added the fifth to complete the rout at the Bangabandhu National Stadium. Shakil Ahmed and Sohel Rana scored one apiece for Russel.
Abahani could have gone ahead in the very first minute but Morrison, receiving a long ball from Waly Faisal, who sneaked inside the D-box unmarked, took a powerful shot which went wide of the target.
However, Morrison amended his missed opportunity to put Abahani ahead in the 10th minute. A brush from Morrison’s head on Atiqur Rahman Meshu’s cross from the right flank was enough to glide the ball past the goal line.
Russel though responded quickly and equalised just seven minutes later. Left winger Shakil volleyed home past Abahani goalkeeper Sultan Ahmed after receiving a low pass from Sumon inside the box.
Abahani restored their lead in the 24th minute and this time Ghanaian midfielder Ibrahim’s angular shot found the back of the net following a fine work by Portuguese forward Leonildo Soares.
Morrison missed a glorious opportunity to extend the lead in the 31st minute but he again shot wide in a one-on-one situation with Russel custodian. However, once again Morrison amended his mistake. Eight minutes later he scored from a rebound after Shahedul Alam Shahed’s strike was blocked by Biplob.
Shahed took the game further away from Russel’s grasp as he added the fourth just four minutes into the second-half. Soares found Morrison at the edge of the box who passed the ball to Shahed before the midfielder curled the ball in from the far post.
Morrison completed his first league hat-trick of the season in the 61st minute. The Ghanaian striker chested down a Waly Faisal cross inside the six-yard box and just guided it home from the far post. Sohel pulled one back for Russel and reduced the margin to 5-2 two minutes before the stipulated time.
With only a game left in the league, Abahani can be assured of becoming the runners-up as they now have 49 points from 26 matches, six more than third placed Muktijoddha SKC. Abahani will play their last game away to Chittagong Abahani. Russel are placed sixth with 32 points.
Meanwhile in the day’s other match at the MA Aziz Stadium in Chittagong, the home side edged past Team BJMC 1-0 with Osman Sharif scoring the all important goal in the 74th minute of the game. Chittagong Abahani have 25 points equal matches played.
