Abahani snatch point, title race heats up

Bangla Press Desk:   Abahani Ltd halted Bashundhara Kings’ charge with a stirring 2–2 draw on Saturday, extending the league leaders’ wait for victory and ending a three-year drought without a draw against the champions.
Kings surged ahead twice, but Abahani showed resilience and character to claw their way back at the Bashundhara Kings Arena.
The champions struck early, taking the lead in the fifth minute.
A loose midfield pass from Yasin Khan was intercepted by Dorielton, who slid a perfectly weighted through ball into the path of Rakib Hossain. The winger burst into the box and finished with confidence.
Kings doubled their advantage in the 16th minute.
Dorielton again proved the architect, beating a defender on the edge of the box before feeding Emmanuel Sunday, who calmly slotted home from close range.
Abahani hit back almost immediately.
In the 19th minute, Mirajul Islam was fouled inside the area, earning a penalty which Malian striker Souleymane Diabate dispatched with authority.
After the interval, Abahani completed the comeback in the 50th minute.
Diabate launched a long pass from midfield, Mirajul chased it down the right and squared it after a brief exchange with Morsalin. Diabate then guided a precise right-footed shot into the net.
The match swung again in the 70th minute when Abahani were awarded another penalty.
Kings defender Emmanuel Tony handled the ball inside the box while anticipating an offside call that never arrived. Diabate stepped up, but goalkeeper Anisur Rahman produced a superb save to deny him a second spot-kick goal.
Both teams pressed hard in the closing stages, creating several chances, yet neither could find the decisive breakthrough.
The draw keeps Bashundhara Kings at the top of the table but underlines a rare moment of resistance from Abahani, who finally managed to take points off the champions after three long years.
In Saturday’s other matches, Fakirerpool Young Men’s Club edged PWD Sports Club 2–1, while the remaining two fixtures Brothers Union Ltd-Fortis FC and Mohammedan SC-Rahamatganj MFS ended in 1–1 draws.
Despite being held, Bashundhara Kings remain top after Round 8 with 17 points from eight matches, but the race has tightened sharply as Fortis FC Ltd sit second on 15 points, followed by Rahamatganj MFS on 14 and Bangladesh Police FC on 13, leaving little margin for error at the summit. Abahani moved up to fifth with 10 points from the same number of matches, while Kings risk losing their grip on first place if they fail to return to winning ways in the next round.

BP/TD