An 87th minute strike from Babu amidst a blunder of goalkeeper Shahidul Alam Sohel forced the six times champions Abahani Limited to share points with Bangladesh Police FC in the Bashundhara Bangladesh Premier League football on Friday.
The sorrows of Abahani stretched when they drew the match after conceding goal just before three minutes away from win the match at their home ground at the Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni Stadium, Gopalganj.
It was fifth draw for Abahani in the league when they manage only seven wins put of 15 outings to remain on third position with 26 points.
In the other match at the Flt. Lft. Matiur Rahman Stadium, Munshiganj, Rahmatganj and Sheilh Russel also shared point after one all draw.
However, the Sky-Blue made a stunning start with taking lead inside eighth minute of the game with ever more reliant on striker of the season Stewart found the net from a closer range.
Abahani Limited, who stumbled incredibly after their sixth title streak of the premier league ended four seasons back, could not retain the title but to have some solace with the runners trophy. Abahani are consistently held up as a model of success fuelled by stable, sensible decisions both on and off the pitch, as they could not formed a formidable squad, though signed up Argentine coach Andres Crusiani.
But under the former Bangladesh national team’s coach Abahani could not appear with their real strength. Meanwhile, Bashundhara Kings, new powerhouses in the domestic soccer have been winning the title for last four seasons in a row, also very closer to retain the crown for fifth successive times.
On the day, Stewart made a cool finish of a long cross from Enamul when Police defenders failed to clear the ball (1-0), as Abahani took an impressive start. Rest of the time Abahani could not create any clear chance, the Police team gave immense trouble with playing almost evenly and finally snatched the valuable point equalizing the margin on 87th minute through Babu (1-1).
It was full responsible of the veteran goalkeeper Shahidul Alam Sohel, the long server as Abahani goalkeeper and also the former national team’s custodian made a blunder. Sohel surprisingly failed to grip an ordinary effort from Babu, as the ball went into net in between his legs.
Babu eventually received man of the match prise.
