BFF Plans Plain B. League Prize Ceremony

The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has decided to cut expenditures of the planned gala prize giving ceremony of the recently concluded B. League in wake of country's flood situation.

The BFF will donate the saved amount now to the Chef Adviser's relief fund.

The inaugural professional football league champions Abahani will be crowned in the programme, which will now be held at the NSC Tower instead of Hotel Sheraton.

Army Chief and NSC chairman General Moeen U Ahmed will distribute prizes as chief guest.

B. League 2006-07 Ends

The curtain fell on the country's inaugural professional football league yesterday with both matches resulting in identical 1-1 draws in Dhaka and Chittagong.

The results, however, made no impact on the points table of the 11-team B. League.

Playing with ten men for the last 15 minutes, runners-up Mohammedan trimmed the gap with league champions Abahani to seven points after Mohammed Rony cancelled the opener by Arambagh forward Nicodemus in the Dhaka derby.

Sheikh Russel made the trip to the port city with a hope to win and overtake Muktijoddha for a third- place finish.

But the visitors had to remain satisfied with one point, thanks to Bulbul's second-half equaliser in the 59th minute after Chittagong Mohammedan, who clinched seventh place after a very impressive season, had taken the lead through Dipu in the very first minute of their home match at the MA Aziz Stadium.

Mohammedan, whose title hopes were heavily dashed after last round's 1-1 draw away at Khulna Abahani, hardly looked like the team to win without their inspirational captain Paul.

The Nigerian, whose 14 goals including a double-hattrick brought a mediocre side this far in the competition, was injured and his three fellow countrymen failed to dominate against a tight Arambagh defence.

Despite an unplayable pitch at the Bangabandhu National Stadium, muddy and sluggish, Arambagh enjoyed superior ball possession and Kenyan striker Nicodemus sent a superb chip from the left after 21 minutes for Morshed, only to see the ball run harmlessly across the black and whites goal.

Sharif and Walid twice volleyed over the Arambagh goal while Zuku's powerful drive from 20 yards skimmed the Mohammedan upright before Nicodemus separated the two sides in the 32nd minute with a sublime shot.

The Kenyan picked up a loose ball near the centre circle and raced down the right flank before hammering an angled right-footer into the roof of the net from outside the area for his eighth goal, giving Mohammedan goalie Himel no chance.

Midfielder Sharif then spoiled a chance to equalise as his drop-volley on a rebound went over while Iddi Badambuze's close range effort was saved by Himel shortly before the break.

The second half began under drizzle, which made the strip faster and Walid, who replaced Paul as main striker, placed a first-time shot wide under pressure from Arambagh fullback Monu in the 53rd minute.

Nicodemus wasted a golden chance to double the lead as he smothered Himel from 18 yards in the very next minute. Mohammedan, who beat Arambagh 1-0 in their league opener in March, pressed hard and 12-goal Emeka's spectacular sidevolley on a right-side cross missed the mark for inches in the 70th minute.

The equaliser, however, came from a defensive lapse a couple of minutes later. Mithu sent a through into the Arambagh box but the ball stopped in the mud, giving Rony the time to go round the stunned substitute keeper Mitul and neatly place a low shot past the last defender.

Mohammedan's Nigerian midfielder Divine was then sent off for his second bookable offence - a clumsy challenge on Zuku - in the 77th minute and the ten-man Mohammedan survived a close call ten minutes from time when Iddi's curling freekick from 40 yards hit the crossbar.

Mohammedan coach Shafiqul Islam Manik admitted that finishing runners-up with a rather ordinary side made him happy.

"The last match, there was no motivation but throughout the league, my young players played brilliant. I am eventually satisfied," said Manik.

"I would not blame the draw against Khulna Abahani for missing out the title. Actually, we failed to start well in the second leg," added the coach, whose side were leading the table after first leg but drew the first three games.

After five straight wins, Mohammedan ended the race with two draws which saw them unbeaten in 16 matches since successive defeats to Muktijoddha and Abahani.

Having failed to sign any big local names, the local giants had to rely on the Nigerian quartet whose performance virtually kept them alive.

B. League 2006-07 Top Scorers

16 goals: Junior (Brothers)

14 goals: Paul (Mohammedan)

12 goals: Emily (Abahani), Emeka (Mohammedan)

8 goals: Alfaz (Muktijoddha), Nicodemus (Arambagh), Robin (Farashganj)

7 goals: Younes (Russel)

6 goals: Ibrahim (Abahani), Moni (Muktijoddha), Iddi (Arambagh), Abraham (Ctg Abahani)

5 goals: Dipu, Asif (Ctg Mohammedan), Khokon (Ctg Abahani)

4 goals: Abul, Nazrul (Abahani), Brahim (Muktijoddha), Ighir (Russel), Manju (Brothers), Prashanta, Mamun, Pikul (Khulna Abahani), Santosh (Ctg Abahani)

3 goals: Md Rony (Mohammedan), Bulbul (Russel), Faisal Mahmud (Brothers), Biketi (Arambagh), Yusuf (Ctg Mohammedan), Tajul (Khulna Abahani), Apu, Francis (Rahamatganj)

2 goals: Tipu, Zahed Parvez (Abahani), Mithu, Zahid (Mohammedan), Munna (Muktijoddha), Zaim (Russel), Enock, Tapu, Monwar (Brothers), Domenic (Arambagh), Ali Hossain, Puma, Arup (Farashganj), Adeyanka, Md Mamun (Rahamatganj)

1 goal: Joy, Parodi, Sanchez, Souleyman, Pranotosh, Abdullah Parvez, (Abahani); Nakib, Kamal, Biplab, Farhad, Divine, Odafe (Mohammedan); Arman Aziz, Arman, Titu, Hassan Al Mamun, Parvez Babu, Saiful, Kanchan, Biddyut, Maruf (Muktijoddha); Nayan, Amin Rana, Pappu, Kaiser (Russel); Mamun, Shuvra (Brothers); Ritu, Nurul Islam, Zuku (Arambagh); Camara, Zahid, Towhid, Momolu, Dowlat, Pavel, Anthony Doe (Ctg Mohammedan); Idris, Rony Islam (Farashganj); Moshiul, Ashiqul, Kajal, Nazmul (Khulna Abahani); Dhiman, Jitu, Narayan (Ctg Abahani); Hanif, Milon, Shoeb, Ikogho, Rasel Ansary (Rahamatganj)

B. League 2006-07 Table

Team	GP	W	D	L	GF	GA	PTS
Abahani Ltd, Dhaka	20	14	5	1	36	8	47
Mohammedan SC Dhaka	20	11	7	2	40	13	40
Muktijoddha Sangsad KC	20	9	6	5	29	19	33
Sheikh Russel KC	20	8	9	3	23	13	33
Brothers Union	20	8	5	7	32	19	29
Arambagh KS	20	8	3	9	22	23	27
Chittagong Mohammedan SC	20	7	5	8	20	26	26
Farashganj SC	20	5	7	8	17	22	22
Khulna Abahani KC	20	4	4	12	21	43	16
Chittagong Abahani Ltd	20	4	3	13	18	39	15
Rahamatganj MFS	20	3	4	13	15	48	13

Khulna Abahani Depart With Future Uncertain

Khulna Abahani finished ninth in the B. League when the visitors crushed Rahamatganj 3-0 on the penultimate day of the inaugural professional football league at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

Needing a win to avoid a last-place finish, Rahamatganj showed signs of determination early in their league finale but failed to continue with the same spirit after captain Sony conceded an own goal five minutes from break.

Pikul and substitute Nazmul added the rest in the second half to ensure Khulna's third win in Dhaka after upsetting giants Brothers Union 4-2 and champions Abahani 2-1.

The home side, who had lost 2-0 to the Khulna sky-blues in their first leg match - the opening round of the competition back in March - ended bottom-of-the-table with 13 points while Khulna Abahani increased their collection to 16 points with their overall fourth victory.

The league ends today with runners-up Mohammedan facing neighbours and sixth-placed Arambagh and Sheikh Russel targeting a win against Chittagong Mohammedan in the port city in a bid to clinch third place.

Mamun fluffed a great chance after 12 minutes when the Rahamatganj forward took a headed pass from Rony on the edge of the six-yard box but screwed his shot wide.

Francis had only the last defender to beat from a melee on the half hour but the Nigerian striker failed to keep is chip under the bar as Rahamatganj's domination began to fizzle out.

A freekick by Abahani leftback Kabir broke the deadlock when his centre from the left side took a wicked deflection off Sony's chest, giving Anwarul no chance at the Rahamatganj goal.

Hemyaet Ullah's boys, the most impressive side on counter attacks, revealed their weapon properly in the second half to put the old-Dhaka outfit under constant threat with indefatigable runs by Pikul, Tajul and Prashanta, who had scored the very first goal of the competition.

The fact that Rahamatganj went more attacking in search of an equaliser, bringing Nigerian forward Ikogho in, helped the tourists to find more space but Tajul was denied by goalkeeper Anwarul on the hour before firing a shot over.

Substitute midfielder Hanif threw a lifeline to Rahamatganj in the 70th minute when he picked Adeyinka with a freekick but the Nigerian's header was cleanly collected by rival custodian Iran on the line.

Four minutes later, Pikul latched on a long ball from their own half to dribble past Rahamatganj centre-back Shipon and hammer a right-footer into the roof of the net for his fourth league goal.

Francis spilled another chance from close range before Nazmul made it 3-0 in the 84th minute. Tajul exchanged passes with Pikul before releasing a square-pass near the goalmouth where Nazmul dodged the keeper to place the ball into an empty net.

Despite an impressive performance, Khulna Abahani's future in the B. League, however, was uncertain. "We could hardly train in the second leg due to lack of fund. For many days we had to skip training. Not only us, the financial condition is very poor for all clubs in Khulna," told coach Hemayet Ullah.

"The regular source of income has been stopped for long and we could not even collect Tk 3,000 for our per day practice. Donors are also in trouble and we had to go door to door to our members and well wishers to raise fund. Our secretary Dr. Bahar has been really helpful.

"If this situation continues, we would not be able to participate in the professional league any further. Twenty players of our 23-member squad are local boys. That's why they gave everything behind the team. But we can't keep them next year because other teams will lure them with money," said the former Khulna Abahani player-turned-coach who has been with the club for 12 years.

"In the end, I am satisfied because the players gave more than they got from us. We should have treated them better.

About his success against the heavyweights of Dhaka - Khulna Abahani held Muktijoddha, Russel and lastly Mohammedan at home - he said, "We took the big matches seriously. We packed the defence and relied on quick counter attacks. But against other teams we played more attacking and paid the penalty."

Champs Abahani Sign Off in Style

Abahani's championship party turned festive as they celebrated their B. League title with a 1-0 win over Muktijoddha in a heavyweight Dhaka derby yesterday.

Blue was the colour of the day and although the Abahani gallery only was half-full, there was no shortage of lively dancing amidst drumbeats after substitute Zahed Parvez separated the two sides in the 73rd minute.

As soon as both sides' last match of the competition finished, fans began to spray colours on each other and the officials and staff were no exception as they garlanded the players, coach and manager at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.

The sky-blues, who had ensured the trophy of the inaugural professional football league in their 19th and penultimate round beating Sheikh Russel 2-0, finished on 47 points, eight points ahead of runners-up Mohammedan who have a match in hand to try and trim the gap.

Muktijoddha's fifth loss in 20 matches kept them at third place but fourth-placed Russel can overtake the Reds with a win in their away match against Chittagong Mohammedan tomorrow, the concluding day of the 11-team league.

Abahani, who began with an 11-match unbeaten record, never looked content just with the crown as it so often happened in the past. And they proved on the pitch they wanted to sign off with a victory.

The determination resulted in Amalesh Sen's side, who had drew goalless with the same opposition in the league opener on March 2, enjoying absolute domination as Muktijoddha looked like a ship without sails in absence of a coach.

The Reds, one of the pre-tournament favourites, not only were the flop of the season but in-house politics also saw the giants without coach Abu Yusuf's services for the last couple of games.

Like their previous game, Yusuf was at the tent on request of club officials but had no says.

Abahani kept the rival backline on its toes and defender Nazrul's 21st minute flick on a freekick by Abdullah Parvez came off the defensive wall. Four minutes later, Abul sliced through two defenders but his low drive was collected by goalkeeper Titumir in his second attempt.

Nazrul, performer of the season, then backheaded a corner by Ujjal only to be denied by the crossbar on the half hour before Emily fluffed a sitter on stroke of halftime.

After Ibrahim's hard work at the right, Abul stopped the ball for Emily but Abahani's 12-goal star striker saw his placing shot blocked by the last defender.

After Muktijoddha's all first-half efforts were caught in Abahani's offside traps, they reorganised to have territorial advantage for ten minutes after resumption.

The sky-blues, however, turned on the style after the hour mark with the indefatigable Ibrahim coming close twice.

The Ghanaian was denied by Hassan Al Mamun's timely interception before Titumir pulled off a superb one-handed save at his near post after Ibrahim raced into the box and hammered from close.

Emily, who netted ten time in his last nine matches, got a great chance in the 70th minute when Ibrahim and Tipu exchanged passes between them to set the national striker but Titumir once again rushed out of his line to snatch the ball.

The pressure told three minutes later when Maruf conceded a freekick just outside their area, tripping Ibrahim dangerously.

Ibrahim, who immediately retaliated by hitting Maruf, was lucky to escape with a caution instead of a red card from referee Mansoor Azad.

The resulting freekick put Abahani ahead as Ibrahim chipped the ball over the wall for Joy, whose mistimed header found substitute Zahed at the right side and the unmarked midfielder, who replaced Abul eight minutes earlier, volleyed a first-time shot into the back of the net.

The joy of Abahani's 14th win, however, ended up with a Tk 10,000 fine as custodian Biplab became the fourth player in the sky-blue shirt to receive a yellow card just after making an outstanding save in the 90th minute. It was Maruf who had the only serious attempt on the rival goal in the 90th minute but his long-range shot was tipped wide by a full-stretched Biplab.

Brothers Finish Fifth

Brothers Union signed off their inaugural professional football league campaign with a come-from-behind 4-1 win in an ill-tempered match against Chittagong Abahani.

Both sides ended with ten players after Abahani's foreign recruit Banei Othelo and Brothers' Mamunul Islam, who got his maiden national call last week, were sent off.

Just before the short whistle, the two players were locked in a scuffle following a foul by Othello that spread among the officials. The home tent had more men than permitted and they invaded the pitch which needed police intervention to stop the chaos.

The match resumed after referee Shahidul Islam Lalu, who failed to handle the situation properly, showed red cards to both the midfielders.

The Dhaka giants, two-time defending Premiership champions, ensured fifth place in the 11-team B. League table with 26 points while Chittagong Abahani remained third from bottom with the threat of finishing one place below.

Khulna Abahani and Rahamatganj will fight to avoid a bottom-table end and if one of these two win their tomorrow's game, Chittagong Abahani will slip to tenth place.

The home side, however, got off to a flying start when Nepalese international Santosh Shahukhal put the port-city sky-blues ahead after eight minutes at the MA Aziz Stadium with a superb shot from the right side of the penalty area.

Brothers, who had won 3-0 against Chittagong Abahani in Dhaka in both sides' opening match of the competition, restored parity eight minutes later through Ashraful Quader Manju, whose brace in the last round helped the Oranges edged Rahmatganj 2-1.

Manju collected a pass from skipper and leftback Masud Rana to finish inside from the box.

The match went into halftime 1-1 and looked set for a draw as Santosh was denied twice by rival keeper Mohammed Ali, whose superb saves inspired Syed Nayeemuddin's side to snatch three points with a late rally.

Defender Amit Khan Shuvra pounced on a corner by Faisal Mahmud to shoot the visitors ahead after 70 minutes while Nigerian striker Elijah Junior put the result beyond doubt two minutes from time with his 16th league goal when he went round Nepalese goalie Surendra to slot home after latching with a through from substitute Mahbub.

Junior now looks on course to retain his top scorer's position with only fellow Nigerian and Mohammedan captain Mwach Ukwu Paul chasing him. Paul has one match in hand to improve on his 14 goals while Mohammedan striker Christina Emeka and Abahani forward Zahid Hassan Emily, who also have a game remaining, are distant third with a dozen goals each.

There was more and substitute Faisal Mahmud's superlative strike outside from the box made it 4-1 in the stoppage time.

After his last match with the Gopibagh outfit, Brothers' Indian coach Nayeemuddin will take over as Bangladesh national coach.

Arambagh Record Big Win

Arambagh KC registered an emphatic 4-2 victory over Chittagong Mohammedan in the B.League encounter at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

With the outcome Arambagh not only avenged their 0-2 first-leg defeat against the port city side but also moved up to the sixth position in the table securing 26 points from 19 matches. Chittagong Mohammedan remained at 25 points from same number of outings.

The first-half was locked at 1-1 as Asif Yusuf put Mohammedan ahead in the 17th minute by capitalising on a Dipu cross from the left-flank and Ugandan Iddi Badambuze, aided by Domenic, levelled the margin for Arambagh with a fierce shot from the left side.

After the breather Nicodemus Gichana Anunda struck twice to ensure Arambagh's win as the Kenyan striker scored in the 51st minute with a left-footed angular shot from the left side of the D-box after dodging past opponent goalie Tito and then netted the fourth goal for his side in the 65th minute with a close range left footer.

Iddi however increased the Arambagh tally scoring his second goal with a spectacular flying header off a Domenic cross while Mohammad Asif narrowed the gap for Chittagong Mohammedan from penalty in the 67th minute.

Abahani Become B. League Champions 2006-07

Dark clouds overhead and an expectedly muddy ground after day long showers gave the Bangabandhu National Stadium a gloomy look but the conditions could not spoil Abahani's championship party as they lifted the inaugural professional football league title yesterday.

Zahid Hasan Emily and Awudu Ibrahim found the mark either side of halftime as the sky-blues blanked Sheikh Russel 2-0 to ensure the B. League trophy with a match in hand.

Abahani, however, will have to wait to lay their hands on the new trophy as the Bangladesh Football Federation is expected to crown the champions on August 6 in grandeurs.

It was the Dhaka heavyweights' first major domestic success after a six-year drought, which saw their worst run ever after winning the first version of the National Football League in 2000 and the Dhaka Premier League next year.

With 13 wins in 19 outings, Abahani who play Muktijoddha in their last match on Monday, took an unassailable lead in the 11-team table with 44 points.

It also dashed the slim title hopes of their arch rivals Mohammedan, who now settle for runners-up with 39 points with one match remaining against Arambagh on August 1, the concluding day of the league.

Russel, who drew their first leg match against Abahani 0-0, stuck to 32 points with a hope of a third-place finish. They had three Moroccan players on the unplayable pitch but without the steel of captain Bourdif in the backline and his fellow Moroccan Younes's skill up front, were reduced to mediocre.

The credit, however, should go to the rival midfield, which probably produced their best game of the season under the leadership of Arif Khan Joy. The holding midfielder and Abahani captain not only killed Russel moves but also generated a series of attacks for Ujjal, Abul and Abdullah Parvez who supplied regularly for striking duo Emily and Ibrahim to put constant pressure on the opposition.

Ibrahim fired a low drive wide and Emily was denied by Russel rightback Aminul in the first ten minutes but the sky-blues really threatened to score when Ibrahim got behind the opposition backline after 16 minutes. However, the Ghanaian forward, who came dangerously close, was dispossessed by an onrushing Zia and the waterlogged strip.

Emily then headed a chip by Ujjal just wide after hard work by Ibrahim and Abul, who failed to keep the ball on target minutes later.

Ibrahim, Parvez and Emily again frustrated the 5,000-strong Abahani fans fluffing opportunities on one-on-one before the latter broke the deadlock in the first half stoppage time.

Emily, whose constant rushing unsettled the rival defence throughout the first half, met a superb centre by leftback Mintu to put a glancing header past Zia from 15 yards for his 12th league goal.

Four minutes after resumption, Abahani sealed the victory with their first attack of the second session. It was Abul who created the chance with exquisite skill, dodging past two defenders outside the area before releasing Ibrahim free at the left side and the Ghanaian completed the job hammering in a low drive for his sixth goal.

The two-goal cushion put Amalesh Sen's side on the defensive and Russel came close to reduce the margin quite often.

Biplab, who was not required to make a single save in the first half with Abahani enjoying superior ball possession, palmed away efforts by stand-in Russel skipper Bulbul and Nayan while Moroccan striker Noureddine Zaim screwed his shot over the lone keeper after getting the ball near the six-yard box after Pradip's mistimed clearance.

Khulna Abahani Break Mohammedan Hearts

Khulna Abahani did a favour to their more illustrious Dhaka wing when the bottom-table side held visiting Mohammedan to a 1-1 draw in yesterday's crucial B. League match at the Khulna Stadium.

The result heavily dashed Mohammedan's title hopes in the inaugural professional football league, pushing top-of-the-table Abahani within a whisker of clinching the trophy.

Abahani's match against Sheikh Russel yesterday in the capital was postponed due to inclement weather and the sky blues will need just two points from their remaining two matches.

The Abahani vs Russel fixture has been revised for today and even if Amalesh Sen's league leaders miss out full points today, they will get another chance against Muktijoddha in their league finale on July 30.

Only if Abahani lose both their matches, Mohammedan can win the title on the final day of the competition provided they beat neighbouring Arambagh on August 1.

Mohammedan, who raised their tally to 39 points, are still two points adrift of their archrivals Abahani. The draw was their sixth in 19 outings but Shafiqul Islam Manik's side were unfortunate not to get full points as their Nigerian striker and captain Mwach Ukwu Paul wasted a first-half penalty.

Mohammedan got the golden chance in the 35th minute but the league's second highest scorer (14 goals) Paul's feeble shot from the spot gave local goalkeeper Iran Sheikh no trouble at all.

There was chaos when some spectators used abusing remarks against Paul but the incident did not hamper the proceedings.

The black and whites, who had thrashed Khulna Abahani 6-1 at home in the first leg, went into the break 0-0 after Paul's missed opportunity but conceded the lead two minutes after resumption.

It was striker GM Mamun, who got his maiden national call earlier this month, put the hosts ahead with a header past a bemused Himel at the Mohammedan goal after rival defender Arif and midfielder Zahid hesitated to clear a long ball inside their area.

Mohammedan dominated the rest of the show and created numerous chances but managed just the equaliser on the hour when veteran Ariful Kabir Farhad took a right-side pass to beat Iran, who was brilliant under pressure throughout the second half.

Mohammedan coach Manik told The Daily Star over phone that they should have won the match after opening up the rival defence now and again.

"We created around ten chances in the second half but unlike the earlier matches, when we used to score one or two from four-five chances, we failed. Iran played superb but Paul's penalty was like a backpass," rued Manik.

Khulna Abahani, who end their campaign in Dhaka against Rahamatganj, will be braced for a great battle as both the teams would be eager to avoid a bottom-table finish.

Both Khulna Abahani and Rahamatganj are on 13 points but the port city side have an edge by virtue of a better goal difference.

Meanwhile, the B. League authority has decided to kick off the remaining matches at 4.15 pm.

Manju Brace Saves Brothers

Two-goal Ashraful Qauader Manju inspired Brothers Union to a come-from-behind 2-1 victory against Rahamatganj in the penultimate round of the B. League yesterday.

Manju, who replaced Faisal Mahmud after the break, cancelled Rahamatganj midfielder Mohammed Mamun's first half strike in the 70th minute and slammed the match winner in the stoppage time as the Oranges recorded their seventh win in 19 games.

On a rain-soaked pitch at the Bangabandhu National Stadium that reminded the sparse crowd of a paddy field, football was far from attractive.

Defending looked like a difficult job for both sides who struggled to get purchase on the slow strip but the attackers also shared moments of embarrassment.

Local giants Brothers, who dominated the show, created the first real opportunity against the second-from-bottom old Dhaka outfit after 35 minutes.

With the rival defence failing to clear a combined Brothers attack, Jalaluddin set captain Masud Rana with a free shot and the veteran leftback kept the ball on target. However, Rahamatganj skipper Sony headed the ball out of the line to keep the scoreline goalless.

Mamun gave Rahamatganj a 1-0 lead at halftime when he broke the deadlock in the 44th minute with his second goal in the league. Taking a pass from Nigerian striker Francis just outside the penalty area, Mamun unleashed a rising shot from the left side to deceive Mohammed Ali as the ball went in off the rival goalkeeper's near post.

Minutes after his arrival on the pitch, substitute Manju stabbed the ball through a forest of legs for the equaliser after the Rahamatganj backline failed to clear a long ball.

Just when both sides looked settled for a draw, Jalal curved a lob from the right top pick Manju, who nodded home his third league goal in the first minute of the time added on.

Brothers, who play their last match against Chittagong Abahani away at the port city, regained fifth place with 26 points while there was no improvement for Rahamatganj from 13 points.

Farashganj SC 0-1 Chittagong Abahani

Farashganj ended their inaugural professional football league campaign yesterday with a solitary goal defeat to the visiting Chittagong Abahani at a rain-soaked Bangabandhu National Stadium.

Centre-back Narayan headed home a freekick in the 83rd minute to give Abahani their fourth win - second against Farashganj in as many matches - in 19 games.

The riversiders, who had lost their away game in Chittagong 2-0, finished their 20 matches on 22 points. With a 5-7-8 record, Farashganj ensured eighth place in the 11-team B. League.

The port city sky-blues, meanwhile, climbed to ninth place with a match in hand, increasing their tally to 15, two points above Rahmatganj and three ahead of bottom-table Khulna Abahani.

Chittagong Abahani will conclude their mission on July 29 when they host Dhaka giants Brothers Union in the first match of the final week.

Abahani Stay Ahead

Abahani closed in on the B. League title when they blanked Arambagh 3-0 yesterday to maintain their three-point lead over fellow title contenders Mohammedan in the table.

Nazrul opened the account from a first-half penalty before a 5,000-strong sky-blues fans at the Bangabandhu National Stadium while Emily and his substitute Zahed Parvez struck after the break to seal their 12th win in 18 matches.

With just a couple of rounds left, Abahani crossed the 40-point mark with their arch rivals Mohammedan on 38 points at end of the 20th week.

The black and whites travel to Khulna for their next game against local Abahani and have a relatively easy draw against Arambagh on the concluding day of the championship.

Amalesh Sen's league leaders, however, have difficult opponents as they meet two of the top four sides - Sheikh Russel and Muktijoddha - in their last encounters. Abahani drew both their first-leg games against Russel and Muktijoddha, whose hopes for a runners-up finish have already faded away.

Meanwhile, yesterday's result helped Abahani boost their goal-difference and reduce the gap with Mohammedan to only two. In case both teams end level on points, goal-difference will determine the title.

The sky-blues took control of the match from the word go with an all-local midfield and Abdullah Parvez sent Ibrahim clear after four minutes but the Ghanaian forward shot his chance wide from the middle of the penalty area.

Emily beat an offside trap soon but his effort went straight to goalkeeper Piru, whose reflex kept another Emily flick from point-blank range for a corner after a right-left combination between Siraji and Abdullah Parvez unsettled the Arambagh defence.

The resulting corner produced a penalty in the 18th minute when Abahani skipper Joy was felled by Ugandan defender Biketi inside the box.

Centre-back Nazrul made no mistake to put the ball into the back of the net for his fourth goal -- third from the spot -- this season.

Abul did well to race past Arambagh keeper Piru with a square pass from Emily four minutes before halftime but the national midfielder committed an unpardonable mistake when he failed to keep is volley on target with two opposition defenders scrambling to guard the open goal.

Mid-table Arambagh showed the knack to attack and created two chances in the dying moments of the first half but Biplab was alert at his near post, palming away a low drive by Domenic and a header by Biketi during a corner.

Ibrahim fluffed the easiest chances of the game as Abahani fired on all cylinders but he was inspirational behind Emily's 11th league goal that doubled the lead in the 56th minute.

The robust Ghanaian sped down the right before cutting a low ball toward the goalmouth where a lurking Emily effortlessly thumped the ball into the roof of the net.

The striker was replaced by Zahed a minute later and the diminutive midfielder made it 3-0 in the 79th minute. Joy sent Ujjal racing down the left flank and the medio dribbled past a defender before releasing a square-pass for Zahed who shot home on the trot for his first league goal.

Arambagh, who lost 2-0 in the first-leg, had their chances to reduce the margin but their top-scorer Nicodemus failed to meet a cross before an open net while substitute Ridon's close-range shot came off Siraji's legs. In injury time, Nicodemus and Morshed's simultaneous efforts also came off the defensive wall.

Abahani vs Arambagh Postponed

Inclement weather took its toll on the B. League for the second time as yesterday's match between league leaders Abahani and Arambagh was postponed following heavy showers in the capital.

The ongoing spell of monsoon left the ground at the Bangabandhu National Stadium unplayable and weather permitting, the game will be held today.

The fixtures will be bodily shifted.

Earlier, the competition was halted for four days immediately after the start of the second leg in June.

Emeka Powers MSC

Mohammedan Sporting Club striker Emeka made sure his side stayed alive in the hunt for the championship after his lone strike sunk Brothers Union hopes during their second-leg B. League match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

Latching on to a long ball from countryman Divine in the 65th minute, the black and white's Nigerian recruit slotted home the winner past Brothers' goalkeeper Mohammad Ali, who just seconds before had fisted away the ball from Divine's shot.

Interestingly, Emeka also scored the winner in the corresponding fixture earlier in the season.

It was a very important victory for Mohammedan as they now go level on points with arch-rivals and league leaders Abahani on 38 points from 18 matches while the Oranges remained at mid-table with 23 points from 18 outings. Abahani, however, have a chance to go three points clear if they win today's match against Arambagh.

Mohammedan coach Shafiqul Islam Manik stated that they now have a good chance to grab the first-ever B. League title, although their Dhanmondi-based rivals still have a match in hand.

"We'll be taking the two remaining matches very seriously. Even if we win all the two matches, we will still have to wait for Abahani's results," said the former national player.

About the day's performance, he commented that he was satisfied with his players, adding, "The boys played absolutely superb."

Manik's counterpart and new Bangladesh coach Syed Nayeemuddin mentioned a slippery ground but also admitted failure.

"We missed some scoring chances in the beginning of the match." he said.

The Oranges manager Amer Khan said, "The match against Mohammedan was a matter of prestige for us, as we failed to win any match against the big teams in the league. And once again, we failed to win."

Earlier, Zahid Hossain Emily's cross was cleared by Rony in the Brothers' defence in the tenth minute but the ever-alert Divine fired in the loose ball from 30 yards but the shot was parried away by Ali for a corner.

Brothers had a string of chances in the first-half but were thwarted. First it was Jalaluddin whose curved effort in the 21st minute off a ball sent into the penalty area from Brothers' Nigerian player Elija Junior. Then it was Junior himself who headed directly into Mohammedan goalkeeper Himel's lap after heading in a right-flank cross from midfielder Liton in the 29th minute.

Himel foiled another attack, saving Junior's close range shot off a Mamun pass in the 41st minute.

Come the second half, and Brothers continued to attack as Faisal Mahmud's volley went wide.

Mohammedan then almost opened their account but Brothers' custodian Ali rushed in to stop a through-ball from Emily which was intended for Emeka's well-timed run into the danger area.

Crucial Match for Mohammedan

Mohammedan will look to maintain their hundred percent record against Brothers Union this season when the two heavyweights meet in a crucial Dhaka derby today.

The B. League match, which kicks off at a revised schedule of 4.15pm, will be telecast live by ATN Bangla from the Bangabandhu National Stadium.

Mohammedan are at second place, three points behind leaders Abahani, and a win today will not only remove their last hurdle but also keep them alive for the championship.

The mid-table Oranges are the last big name in the roster of Mohammedan, who edged Brothers 1-0 in the first leg for their only win against one of the pre-tournament favourites so far.

The black and whites, unbeaten in the last 13 encounters since losing 1-0 to Abahani in last March, will play lesser sides like Khulna Abahani and Arambagh in the last two rounds.

Still, Shafiqul Islam Manik's side - who have suffered just one defeat in the professional league - cannot afford even a draw at this stage as a slip will take their archrivals Abahani closer to the title.

Abahani have 38 points to Mohammedan's 35 after 17 games.

Abahani play Arambagh tomorrow but have tricky opponents in the last two games when they face two amongst the top four, Sheikh Russel and Muktijoddha.

Previous two seasons' top team from the capital, defending two-time Premiership champions Brothers have already crashed out of contention but the Gopibagh outfit would certainly look forward to finish the season with at least one victory against any local giants.

Despite being guided by wily Indian coach Syed Nayeemuddin, who takes over the Bangladesh national team next month, they have only sparkled momentarily.

They have also slumped to their worst form this season, losing consecutive matches to Muktijoddha, Abahani and Chittagong Mohammedan after a draw with Russel.

On 23 points from 17 matches, a victory will enhance Brothers' chances for a fifth place finish. They are currently at sixth place, one point behind Chittagong Mohammedan.

Chittagong Mohammedan 3-0 Khulna Abahani

Chittagong Mohammedan crushed visiting Khulna Abahani 3-0 in yesterday's B. League at the MA Aziz Stadium in Chittagong.

The port city side, who registered their seventh win in 18 games, took absolute control after Asif Yusuf opened the scoring after four minutes with his fourth league goal while foreign recruit Anthony Doe doubled the lead ten minutes later.

Rashed Ahmed Dipu sealed the victory for the hosts in the 68th minute to maintain their hundred per cent record over Khulna Abahani, who had lost 1-0 at home in the first leg. It was the striker's fourth goal in the competition.

The Khulna outfit remained at the base of the table with 12 points after 18 rounds while Chittagong Mohammedan toppled Brothers, Arambagh and Farashganj to climb to fifth place with 25 points.

Rahamatganj Hold Farashganj

Rahamatganj MFS finally managed to move from the base of the B. League table when they held fellow old-Dhaka outfit Farashganj 1-1 in yesterday's match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.

Striker Robin, who retained his place in the national team, put Farashganj ahead after three minutes inside from the box.

Midfielder Mohammed Ali cut ball back to Robin who unleashed a powerful drive from the left side of the box for his eighth goal in the competition.

However, his teammate Mamun Khan, chosen as the third goalkeeper of the latest national squad, ruined his maiden national call when he committed a gaffe to concede the equaliser by Rasel Ansary in the 20th minute.

The young Farashganj keeper, standing far out of his line, was caught napping when Rasel chipped a high ball from the right and Mamun's in a last-gasp effort only managed to push the ball into his own post.

Both sides' effort to increase the margin bore no fruit as Rahamatganj took their collection to 13 points after 18 games, just one point above Abahanis from Khulna and Chittagong.

Rahamatganj, however, will be fined Tk 10,000 as six of their players were booked by referee Azad Rahman who cautioned three Farashganj players.

The riversiders who drew the first leg match against Rahamatganj 0-0, reached 22 points with just one match to go, against Chittagong Abahani.

Russel Crush Hapless Reds

Sheikh Russel scored thrice inside last 16 minutes to crush coach-less Muktijoddha 3-0 in the B. League at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

Moroccan midfielder Saad Abdul Fetah was inspirational behind all the goals, for fellow countryman Touati Younes and substitutes Kaiser and Nayan, as Russel reached within one point of Muktijoddha to brighten their chances to finish among the top three in the inaugural professional football league.

Struggling giants Muktijoddha had Abu Yusuf at the bench but the coach was a showpiece with team non-technical officials taking over.

Yusuf had a row with senior players - ignored by the coach due to lack of fitness - who had arguments with him a couple of days ago and reportedly humiliated the ex-national player.

With the club officials taking sides with players, Yusuf decided not to continue with Muktijoddha further.

“I have cut ties with this team. The officials requested me to stay at the bench in Muktijoddha's last two matches and that is why I am here,” Yusuf told after the match.

Muktijoddha, who remained on 33 points after their fourth defeat and second to Russel this season following a 2-1 loss in the first leg, have one match to go against current leaders Abahani in the final round.

Russel, on the other hand, reached 32 points from 18 outings. Wajed Gazi's boys have a six-point deficit with Abahani and need to win their remaining two matches to go atop the table, provided the leaders and second-placed Mohammedan lose all their games.

Muktijoddha had Arman in the starting line-up after being sidelined by Yusuf throughout the second leg and the veteran midfielder hardly made any difference.

Russel took early control with Younes threatening to score after ten minutes but the striker's first-time volley on Bulbul's centre went just wide.

Fetah, who had a very good match, twice tested rival keeper Titumir with long-range freekicks while Muktijoddha's only chance before the break was provided by Alfaz but his chip from right was headed wide by Kanchan under pressure from a Russel defender.

Titumir pulled off a fine save five minutes after resumption when the Muktijoddha keeper came out of his line to palm away Bulbul's powerful drive outside from the box.

An otherwise dull Brahim then created the best chance for the Reds when he released a low drive from 40 yards on the hour. The ball took a wicked drop to unsettle Russel shotstopper Zia who lost it but a lurking Kanchan failed to keep his shot on the rebound under the bar from ten yards.

Fetah wasted a chance ten minutes later but he initiated a move for Younes's seventh league goal in the 74th minute. Bulbul, who got possession after the Moroccan's hard work at left, cut the ball back to Younes, who got enough time on the edge of the area to adjust to an awkward bounce and put a sublime right-footed drop-volley into the left hand post of Titumir, flat-footing four rival backs inside the box.

Titumir did well to block another Younes effort while the Muktijoddha attackers hopelessly saw a series of shots during a melee failing to beat a forest of rival legs as the match entered the last five minutes.

Fetah then released Kaiser in the 90th minute with a brilliant diagonal pass to help Russel put the result beyond any doubt. Titumir left his post but the diving goalie lost the ball under pressure from Kaiser, who made no mistake to sidefoot into an open goal.

Russel added more salt to the Reds' wounds in the second minute of the stoppage time when Younes, getting the ball from Fetah, squared the ball from the right. Hassan Al Mamun fumbled on a regular clearance, giving an unmarked Nayan all the time to drill home to seal the victory.

Muktijoddha Host Russel Today

The 19th week of the B. League 2006-2007 begins in Dhaka today with the clash between struggling heavyweights Muktijoddha and Sheikh Russel.

ATN Bangla will telecast the match live from the Bangabandhu National Stadium from 4.30pm.

Today's hosts Muktijoddha are at third place with 33 points from 18 games, five behind current leaders Abahani who have played a match less than the Reds.

Russel, who are following Muktijoddha with 29 points, also have a match in hand.

All eyes, however, would be on Saturday's local derby between second-placed Mohammedan and no-hopers Brothers, followed by Abahani's match against Arambagh on Sunday.

Fixtures

July 17: Muktijoddha v Russel (BNS)

July 18: Rahmatganj v Farashganj (BNS)

July 19: Chittagong Mohammedan v Khulna Abahani (MA Aziz Stadium, Chittagong)

July 21: Mohammedan v Brothers (BNS)

July 22: Abahani v Arambagh (BNS)