After having 10 consecutive wins, the defending champions Bashundhara Kings were held to a 1-1 draw by the lowly Azampur Football Club Uttara in their first match of the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League second phase at the Rafiq Uddin Bhuiyan Stadium in Mymensingh on Friday.
After a barren first half, the Kings got chances to break the deadlock when they were awarded by a penalty in the 57th minute. Brazilian captain Robson Robinho converted the spot kick correctly (1-0).
The match was supposed to be ended in the Kings’ favour 1-0, but veteran defender Topu Barman made a blunder at the dying moment and Azampur’s substitute forward Sakib Bepari punished them with an equaliser in the 90+5th minute (1-1).
Despite the draw, the giants consolidated the top slot with 31 points from ten wins and a draw while Azampur remained at their previous 11th spot with three points from three draws and eight defeats.
However, the second phase of the 11-team BPL resumed on this day after more than a month break with three matches.
Dhaka Abahani beat Fortis Football Club by 2-0 goals at the Muktijuddho Sriti Stadium in Rajshahi. Costa Rican forward Daniel Colindres Solera scored the opening goal for Abahani in the 9th minute and Nigerian forward Peter Nworah netted the second goal in the 13th minute of the game.
Dhaka Abahani remained second with 24 points from seven wins, three draws and one defeat while Fortis are in seventh with previous credit of 12 points from two wins, six draws and three defeats.
In Munshiganj, Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club were held to a goalless draw with Rahamatganj Muslim Friends Society at the Shaheed Bir Sreshtha Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium.
Sheikh Jamal are in fourth place with 15 points from three wins, six draws and two defeats while Rahamatganj are in eighth with 10 points two wins, four draws and five defeats.
Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra will play against Bangladesh Police Football Club in Mymensingh and Mohammedan Sporting Club will meet Muktijoddha Sangsad Krira Chakra at the Sheikh Fazlul Haque Mani Stadium in Gopalganj today, both at 03:15pm.
Police are in third with 16 points, Sheikh Russel are in fifth with 14 points, Mohammedan are in sixth with 12 points and Muktijoddha are in ninth with 10 points.
BDST: 2152 HRS, APRIL 07, 2023
MSK
