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Abahani defeats Shantinagar in their first match |
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August 19, 2000
Dhaka, Aug 18 (UNB) - Abahani Limited opened their season’s campaign on a happy note beating Shantinagar Club by 3-1 goals as the round robin league of the 16th Federation Cup Football Tournament began here today (Friday). Striker Mizanur Rahman Don celebrated his joining the illustrious Dhanmondi outfit scoring two goals. Another newcomer Rukunuzzaman Kanchan netted the other goal for the winners while Masud reduced the margin for the losers. The popular blue-sky team took a 2-0 lead in the first half in the day’s one-sided encounter at the Bangabandhu National Stadium with more than 8,000 fans watching the day’s second match. Don put defending champions ahead in the 15th minute scoring from a handshake distance when opposition custodian Shakil failed to grip the ball from a Kanchan flick. Luck did not favour former Mohammedan forward Don to complete his hattrick in the day’s match as several times his shots returned from the bar. In the 20th minute, Don’s fierce right footer from Arman pass returned to play hit the edge of the cross bar. Fleet-footed striker Kanchan doubled the Abahani margin with a nice left-footed angular shot in the 30th minute. The ball came to Kanchan after wrong pass by Shantinagar striker Masud. Shantinagar goalie Shakil denied Abahani a goal before the lemon break when he saved the header of Nazrul from Partha corner in the 36th minute. Abahani continued their attacks on the opposition citadel in the second half. They missed the easiest chance of the day in the 13th minute of the half when a Don shot went wide despite open net. After seven minutes, a robust shot by Don from 20 yards again deflected from the bar. Later, Shantinagar goalkeeper Shakil saved a shot of Kanchan. In the 29th minute of the second half, Don netted the third goal for the winners placing the ball from a Sentu minus. Masud netted the consolation goal for Shantinagar in the 33rd minute of the half as he beat defender Nazrul and goalie Biplob. Just five minutes before the long whistle, Don missed two chances to make a hattrick. On one occasion, his shot hit the bar and on another occasion, he played wide from danger zone despite open net. Yellow cards: Abul Hossain and Arman (Shantinagar). Abahani Limited: Biplob, Nazrul, Tito, Dulal, Partha, Zakir, Iqbal, Arman, Saiful (Sentu), Don and Kanchan. Shantinagar Club: Shakil, Ramjan, Abul (Yamin), Mizan, Mithu, Abed (Arman), Shankar, Faruque, Shipon, Masud and Munna (Mutaleb). Referee: TH Babu. |