Abahani and Chittagong Mohammedan Avenge Defeats

It was a day of revenge for touring sides as the B. League completed its 18th week yesterday.

Title contenders Abahani crushed their Khulna namesakes 5-1 away at Khulna Stadium to wipe out memories of a stunning 2-1 loss in Dhaka in the first leg.

In Dhaka, visiting Chittagong Mohammedan upset struggling giants Brothers Union 2-1 to settle scores of a 1-0 home loss in late April.

Abahani consolidated their position atop the table after their 11th win in 17 matches, opening up a three-point lead over archrivals Mohammedan.

The day began for the Dhaka sky-blues brightly. Unlike their first-leg clash, when they had stormed the Khulna Abahani goal but wasted a series of chances in the first half hour before eventually losing, Amalesh Sen's league leaders went ahead after three minutes with Ghanaian forward Awudu Ibrahim scoring in the third minute.

After a rather quiet first half, the game came alive after the break with four goals inside 20 minutes. Ibrahim got his second of the match - his fifth in the league - ten minutes after resumption but Khulna Abahani reduced the arrears a minute later through midfielder Tajul Islam.

But the visiting side took absolute control with goals by winger Abdullah Parvez and forward Tipu, in the 61 and 75 minutes, putting the result beyond doubt.

Emily sealed the victory one minute from time with his eighth strike in four games, the inform Abahani No. 10 taking his tally to ten goals.

Khulna Abahani remained bottom of the table along with Rahmatganj and fellow Abahani from Chittagong, all three on 12 points.

Chittagong Mohammedan, meanwhile, brightened their chances of a top-half finish when they came from a goal down to beat Brothers at the Bangabandhu National Stadium with goals from substitutes Rashedul Alam Dipu and Kamrul Islam Pavel.

Brothers dominated the first period but Mamun's shot midway through the first half was saved by goalkeeper Raju, who was substituted due to injury. Jalaluddin fluffed an easy chance on the stroke of halftime when he sideheaded a Masud Rana cross over the bar.

The visitors threatened with Yusuf's darting run on the half hour but when his effort was partially cleared by rival shotstopper Mohammed Ali, Zahid failed to properly shoot the rebound.

It took the Oranges two minutes after the break to go ahead with Jalaluddin setting a cross from the left. Nigerian striker Junior controlled the ball well before skirting opposition defender Sohel to slot a neat left footer past substitute goalie Titu to reestablish his position as top scorer with 15 goals.

A couple of defensive errors, however, cost Brothers their sixth defeat.

Dipu, who came in on for Towhid, equalised in the 69th minute when he collected the ball and went past Ali to push the ball into an open goal after Jewel Rana and the Brothers keeper hesitated on a long ball.

Asif Yusuf then sliced the rival defence with a through for Pavel, who replaced Shah Alam, to race past Jewel and slam the match winner with an angled drive three minutes before the final whistle.

Junior came close to level scores in time added on but his powerful freekick from 30 yards was kept out by Titu for a corner.

Chittagong Mohammedan increased their collection to 22 points, just one behind Brothers after both have played 17 games.