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."

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.

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.

Adeanka Brace Lifts Rahamatganj MFS

Adeanka struck twice but was sent off in the dying moments as Rahamatganj beat Chittagong Abahani 2-1 in the B. League at the MA Aziz Stadium in Chittagong yesterday.

The old Dhaka side's foreign recruit scored both goals in the space of three minutes during the second-half but then saw Santosh of the home side score just eight minutes from time.

Things got a little iffy for Rahamatganj when Adeanka was himself ejected after receiving his second yellow card of the match during injury time but the visitors left the port city with three full points as they survived some heart-stopping moments.

With this win, struggling Rahamatganj reached 11 points from 17 matches while Chittagong Abahani remained on 12 points from 18 matches.

Emeka on Song

Nigerian marksman Christina Emeka fired all three goals to shoot Mohammedan back to the top in the B. League with a come-from-behind 3-1 defeat of Rahamatganj yesterday.

Rahamatganj stunned their new Dhaka oppositions with a 15th minute goal by Nigerian forward Charles Ikogho but Emeka equalised for the back and whites in the first half stoppage time.

The yellow-haired Nigerian, who also notched a treble in Mohammedan's last league match against Chittagong Mohammedan, added two more goals - in the 57th minute and second-half injury time - to complete the seventh hattrick of the run.

Mohammedan, who enjoyed rest in previous week's fixtures, caught Abahani atop the table with 29 points but have played one match more than their traditional rivals.

Bottom-table Rahamatganj, who crashed 7-1 to Mohammedan in the first leg with rival skipper Paul slotting six goals, have now conceded five hattricks in their 11 losses.

The others to score hattricks in the league are Muktijoddha's veteran Alfaz (vs Rahamatganj), Brothers' Nigerian striker Junior (vs Rahamatganj and Khulna Abahani), Abahani's national forward Emily (vs Rahamatganj).

However, the old-Dhaka outfit - now on nine points after 16 games - showed much better form than their last week's 7-0 demolition at the hands of Abahani or the first-leg humiliation to Mohammedan.

After Emeka put an early chance wide, a harmless looking cross from captain and fullback Jahangir following a quickly taken freekick caught the Mohammedan defenders napping. Despite having three men in front, the Nigerian used his speed to slice through Biplab and Ariful before drilling in a low drive inside from the box, giving goalkeeper Himel no chance.

Ikogho got two more chances inside the half hour but showed poor control. However, the pressure unsettled the nerves of the Mohammedan backline, which almost gave away a second goal in the 35th minute but thankfully, Peter Odafe's header to clear a long cross by Jahangir ran inches wide of the upright after sending Himel the wrong way.

The wake up call inspired black and whites and it could have been 1-1 two minutes later but Paul failed to reach a low cross by Emeka who snatched the ball from Rahamatganj's on-loan-from-Mohammedan defender Rony.

Paul squandered a sitter in the 43rd minute when he controlled a freekick by fellow Nigerian midfielder Divine with a header but screwed the shot over from handshaking distance.

The Mohammedan tent was finally relieved seconds after the regulation 45 minutes when Emeka leaped high at the far post to head home leftback Kamal's cross.

Rahamatganj escaped narrowly during a corner five minutes after resumption when Paul and Emeka's repeated efforts came off the line but the latter found the net soon.

Kamal had a hand in the second goal too and this time his long centre was sideheaded by Mithu for Emeka, unmarked at the far post, to make it 2-1 with a simple nod.

Rahamatganj created chances but did not show the urge to score level as Ikogho and Faisal put the ball wide indifferently while Rahamatganj custodian Anwarul made a superb save on a scorching drive by Mithu from the top of the box.

When all settled for the result, Emeka increased the margin in a spectacular fashion in the first minute of injury time, scoring with a backvolley that went in off Anwarul's palm after substitute Mohammed Rony cut back the ball from right with his first touch of the game.

It was Emeka's eighth league goal that put him third in the scorers' list behind Junior (14 goals) and teammate Paul (13).

Another Blow for Reds

Muktijoddha joined Sheikh Russel as B. League's joint leaders but gave away the chance to take solo lead when they were held by Farashganj to a goalless draw yesterday.

The Reds came level with Russel on 27 points after 15 outings but both the sides are in danger of being overtaken by Abahani or Mohammedan pretty soon.

Abahani, who play the last match of the ongoing 16th week today, need to beat their namesakes from Chittagong to move to the top alone as they have 26 points from 13 games.

Mohammedan, resting this week, are also on 26 points but have played one match more than their arch rivals Abahani.

Like Farashganj, their old-Dhaka neighbours Rahamatganj also drew yesterday's match when they shared points with Chittagong Mohammedan away in the port city.

Asif Yusuf opened the scoring for the hosts after 66 minutes at the MA Aziz Stadium in Chittagong but Rahamatganj's Nigerian striker Felix made it 1-1 ten minutes later with his third goal in five matches.

Both Farashganj and Chittagong Mohammedan finished the round with 18 points while bottom-table Rahamatganj raised their collection to nine.

Meanwhile, Muktijoddha once again paid for lack of discipline at the Bangabandhu National Stadium to slump to their second successive draw.

Held by Chittagong Mohammedan 1-1 in the previous round, Abu Yusuf's boys enjoyed superior possession but failed to get beyond an otherwise tight Farashganj defence led by Faisal.

After a quiet first half hour, Muktijoddha won a freekick just outside the penalty box but Matiur Munna failed to keep his shot from the setpiece under the bar.

Shortly before the break, the riversiders got a golden chance when Kutub's through ball split the Muktijoddha backline but Nigerian forward Luxon Puma drove the ball wide inside from the area.

Desperate to gain momentum in the title race, Muktijoddha pressed hard early in the second half but Kanchan, who retained his place in the starting line-up in absence of veteran Alfaz, nodded a cross by Moroccan midfielder Brahim onto the crossbar in the 51st minute.

Titu then let fly a scorching left-footer from 30 yards but the national fullback's effort skimmed the post.

Coach Yusuf made all three changes but it were Farashganj who came close to snatch a win in the last ten minutes.

Robin, who had scored both goals in their 2-2 first-leg draw against Muktijoddha, set Puma with a brilliant pass from the dead-ball line in the 80th minute. However, unmarked Puma's low drive went for a corner off a deflection.

Titumir's legwork then saved Muktijoddha's blushes seconds into the injury time as the goalkeeper cleared Rony's close-range effort on one-on-one.

A corner by substitute Enamul in the rest of the stoppage time raised hopes of full three points for Muktijoddha but Kanchan nodded the ball over in what was the last real chance of the game.

Rahamatganj Stun Russel

Rahamatganj MFS dented Sheikh Russel's championship campaign when the bottom-table side pulled off a surprising 1-0 win in yesterday's B. League match.

Ashraful Awal Apu separated the two sides at the Bangabandhu National Stadium with a sublime shot in the 25th minute as Rahamatganj recorded their only second win in the competition.

Having spent the entire first leg without a win, it was the revitalised old-Dhaka outfit's second consecutive win in the second leg that increased their collection to eight points, still two points behind Chittagong Abahani.

For Russel, who suffered their second overall loss to spoil a great chance to take solo lead and remained on 20 points, it was the third match in a row without a win.

However, Russel looked the dangerous side of the two as they took early control. But striker Younes and his partner Bulbul fluffed three easy chances inside the first ten minutes.

Still, they should have gone ahead after 17 minutes when Igir picked up his fellow Moroccan Younes with a superb cross but the header was misplaced.

Rahamatganj, who included three foreign players during the mid-season transfer, created more threatening opportunities on the break and their first counter attack was on target.

It was Francis, the Nigerian striker on loan from Mohammedan who cut the ball back from left and Apu, eagerly waiting on the edge of the rival area, hammered the ball into the roof of the net giving Shakil no chance to react at the Russel goal.

Seven minutes later, Younes - a shadow of the striker who finished second best scorer two seasons back - threw away the chance to equalise when he failed to beat goalkeeper Anwarul on one-on-one.

A series of saves by the Rahamatganj shot-stopper either side of the break frustrated the Russel attack, which intensified as the match progressed. After denying Sadaane on the stroke of the halftime, Anwarul made a spectacular save when he recovered from an advancing position to tip over Igir's chipped attempt midway through the second half.

Igir was on target again in the 75th minute but his effort was not good enough to beat Anwarul.

Rahamatganj, meanwhile, could have increased the margin had Charles Figo showed a little bit patience. The Nigerian forward caught the rival defence on counter attacks but hurried his shots from outside the box, only to miss the mark.

For Russel, the 12th round game was also a financial loss as they will have to pay a fine of Tk 10,000 for four players being booked.

Rahamatganj Win at Last

Rahamatganj registered their first win in the B League when they defeated Arambagh Krira Sangha 2-1 in the second-leg match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

The first phase match between the two sides ended in a goal-less draw.

With the win, Rahamatganj secured five points while Arambagh remained at 13 points, both having played eleven matches.

Nigerian forward Nche Francis and substitute Mohammad Mamun scored a goal each for the winners while Ugandan recruit Kobuye Domenic netted the lone goal for Arambagh.

After a dismal performance in the first phase, a new look Rahamatganj took to the field, as they included four Nigerian players in their playing eleven.

Francis put them ahead in the 17th minute with a right-footed angular shot from the right side of the after receiving the ball from countryman Adeyinka.

Then it was time for Armabagh to pay back when Domenic stunned the paltry crowd at the big bowl with a superb shot from 35 yards in the 27th minute to level the score.

After the break, substitute Mamun, who replaced Adeyinka, scored the winner in the 80th minute through a tap having capitalised on a Charles Ikogho cross.

Apart from scoring a goal, Francis was the star of the show as he came close twice -- first in the 2nd minute when he unleashed a powerful left-footer from 35 yards, which missed the target by a couple of inches and then in the 77th miinute, when his right-footed free-kick from just outside the right side of the danger zone went narrowly wide after getting a deflection from the opponent's defensive wall.

Rahamatganj MFS Register Two Nigerian Recruits

Rahamatganj MFS registered two new foreigners for the 2nd leg of the B. League. The registrations of the Nigerian pair, Charles Ikogho and Adeyemo Olalekan Adeyinka have been completed.

Forward Ikogho had previously played for Rahamatganj in 2004, in the old First Division League, where he scored a respectable 16 goals. Midfielder Adeyinka played in the Vietnam 1st Division League and scored 4 goals, recently.

Rahamatganj's General Secretary, Haji Tipu Sultan said, "After the bad results in the first round of the B. League, we are now determined to do good. Now our forward & defence line is stronger than before as we are also planning to take a player on loan from Mohammedan SC Dhaka." He added, "We will also register another Nigerian as a goalkeeper, and we will present a good 2nd round of matches for the fans."

Brothers Ride on Junior Treble

Elijah Junior slammed a hattrick as Brothers Union brushed aside basement side Rahamatganj 6-2 in both sides' ultimate first-leg match in the B. League yesterday.

Apart from the Nigerian striker's three goals, Faisal Mahmud struck twice and Monwar added the other for the defending two-time Premier League champions, who completed half of the league on 15 points.

The hapless Rahamatganj, who reduced the arrears through Apu and Shoeb before Milon missed an injury time penalty, stuck to two points after ten rounds.

The Oranges, virtually out of the title race, climbed to fifth place with their overall fourth win in ten outings but Syed Nayeemuddin's side could slip one place below if Wednesday's match between Arambagh and Chittagong Mohammedan does not end in a draw.

Brothers who came to the game on the back of a 1-0 loss to Mohammedan, began brightly and Faisal cut the ball back from left to set up the opener after 13 minutes. Junior was not properly marked and the nimble-footed Junior effortlessly put an angular shot past goalkeeper Anwarul.

Two minutes later, Junior complimented Faisal with a square pass as the local midfielder picked the ball outside the area and finished from inside with a low drive to double the lead.

Junior was again on target in the 22nd minute when he drilled the ball home from a melee after captain Masud Rana initiated a flowing move down the left.

There was no respite for the old-Dhaka outfit as Faisal got his second goal in the ten minutes later, the unmarked midfielder pushing in a pass from Monwar who made it 5-0 in the 38th minute after rounding off a rival defender and Anwarul, who returned to the Rahamatganj goal after a long lay-off due to injury.

Run ragged by their mighty opponents, Rahamatganj pulled one back four minutes from the break when Apu's angled drive on a cross from Hanif gave Nizam no chance at the Brothers goal.

In a rather lacklustre second half, Junior completed the third treble of the league, after Muktijoddha's Alfaz and Mohammedan captain Paul (double hattrick), on the hour when the Nigerian chased a through by Mamun from their own half, dribbled past Jewel Rana and neatly put the ball beyond substitute goalie Amjad for his seventh league goal.

Shoeb netted the second goal for Rahamatganj in the 78th minute and they could have got their third in the stoppage time but Milon, who earned a penalty after being fouled by Lajuk, saw his spotkick saved by a diving Nizam.

Chittagong Abahani's Second Win

Rahmatganj paid for numerous misses as Chittagong Abahani came from a goal down to beat the old Dhaka outfit 2-1 in an entertaining B. League match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

Milon put the home side ahead on the half hour in the clash of the two bottom-table sides but Rahmatganj failed to hold on to the first-half advantage as goals by Khokon Das and Jitu gave the visitors their second win in nine games.

Chittagong Abahani remained second from bottom with six points while Rahmatganj stuck to the base of the 11-team table with just one point following their seventh loss in eight outings.

Rahmatganj dominated most of the show in the first match of the ninth week and came close to score after four minutes. But Apu, who dribbled past the rival goalkeeper, saw his weak effort clear by an Abahani defender.

Narayan made a goalline clearance for the port city side before home defender Shipon helped veteran striker Milon break the deadlock. Shipon raced past a number of opposition players during a run from their own half and lobbed for Milon who chested down the ball to fire past the onrushing goalkeeper.

Shipon then failed to connect the ball from a corner as the match went to the break with his side just 1-0 ahead.

Liberian forward Abraham had a hand in both the goals for the visitors who were on level terms three minutes after resumption when midfielder Khokon nodded home a cross from their only foreign recruit. It was Khokon's second league goal.

Rahmatganj created more openings without any avail as the sky-blues from Chittagong sealed the victory in the 77th minute. Abraham won a tussle with Rahmatganj goalie Anwar outside the penalty area and quickly squared the ball near the goalmouth for Jitu to tap in the match winner.

Four minutes later, woodwork denied the hosts off a certain equaliser when Apu glided the ball on to the sidebar.

Sattar Textile Becomes Rahamatganj Sponsor

Rahamatganj became the third B. League team, after Mohammedan SC & Sheikh Russel, to have a club sponsor. Sattar Textile has paid BDT 500,000 for the honour and will have their logo on the club's home and away jersey, two advertising boards and on the backdrop of Rahamatganj's post match conferences.

This is an excellent move by Rahamatganj and I hope that other clubs will follow shortly.

Meahwhile, Rahamatganj lost their first match sporting their new sponsor, against Abahani Ltd, Dhaka. Nazrul scored the goal for Abahani, which secured them the three points, in injury time.

Sheikh Russel Top the Table by Defeating Rahamatganj

Sheikh Russel won against Rahamatganj by 2-0. Shiekh Russel couldn't prove themselves in the first half whilst Rahamatganj played very well. However, Rahamatganj could only hold Sheikh Russel up to 72 minutes.

At 73 minutes Rahamatganj Goalkeeper Md Amjad Hossain fouled the Shiekh Russel Morrocan striker, Touati Youness, giving away a penalty. Touati Youness converted the penalty to give Shiekh Russel the lead. Lutfar Rahman Nayan then scored from a beautiful cross on 79 minutes, killing off the game.

In the post match press conference Sheikh Russel assistant coach Sheikh Zahidur Rahman Milon said, "We played bad in the first half due to some injuries. We came back in the second half and scored two goals." Coach of Rahamatganj Motaleb Hossain said, "We couldn't play fine in the 2nd half and got two goals".

Sheikh Russel have 7 points and now top the B. League table, after playing three matches.