Abahani, Muktijoddha in Goalless Draw as Pro League Kicks Off

Local giants Abahani and Muktijoddha Sangsad played out a goalless draw in the first match of the inaugural Bangladesh Professional Football League at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Friday.

In front of a 15,000-strong crowd, both the teams were reduced to 10 men four minutes after the restart when Abahani midfielder Abul Hossain and Muktijoddha's Arman Aziz were given the marching orders by referee Tayeb Hassan after a midfield scuffle.

Muktijodha had the first crack at goal in the sixth minute when Arman Mia's curling freekick was punched out by Abahani custodian Biplab Bhattacharya.

Abahani, who failed to produce the International Transfer Certificates of their three Argentine players, were forced to field all their local players but they got their rhythm quickly and three minutes later their fullback Ibnul Siraji’s shot was cleared from the goalline by Rajani Kanta.

Abahani made some good moves and could have opened the account in the 43rd minute had Mehdi Hasal Ujjal not fumbled in the 43rd minute. An unmarked Ujjal had to lob the ball past the rival goalkeeper but he hit straight into Titumeer Chowdhury's gloves.

Muktijoddha almost snatched three points against the run of play when substitute Enamul Hossain raced past Waly Faisal at the right flank and cut the ball near across the penalty spot but Rokonuzzaman Kanchan's header went inches above the crossbar in injury time.

Abahani’s Argentine coach Diego Cruciani said: “My players played in the last 20 minutes of the first half. They lacked coordination and fitness.”

He said the team missed its foreign players but it was a good experience for the local players. “We missed them but the local players got a chance to prove themselves today.”

Muktijodha coach Mohammed Abu Yousuf was satisfied with the result. “This was the first match and the result is acceptable. There was lack of combination in my team and the players also did not have stamina to play the full 90 minutes.”

Earlier at a colourful opening ceremony, Bangladesh’s sports adviser Tapan Chowdhury declared the league open in the presence of AFC General Secretary Dato’ Paul Mony Samuel and Bangladesh Football Federation officials.