Goals galore at BNS

League leaders Chittagong Abahani stuttered to a 2-2 draw against Sheikh Russel KC in their Bangladesh Premier League encounter at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

However, despite their third draw in 15 matches, the port city outfit hold a three-point lead over Sheikh Jamal DC with 36 points. The Dhanmondi giants, though, can catch up with the leaders if they beat Rahmatganj MFS today.

Chittagong Abahani took to the field with three straight victories including one against Mohammedan SC, but they were not up to the mark against a side they had beaten 3-1 in their first meeting of the league. The leaders conceded the lead in the sixth minute after a missed-pass from Masuk Mia Jonny found Monaem Khan Raju, whose powerful shot from outside the box beat goalkeeper Ashraful Islam Rana. The Chittagong Abahani goalkeeper, however, denied Tariqul Islam Julfiker from doubling the lead three minutes later.

Chittagong Abahani coach Saiful Bari Titu sent on Mohammad Abdullah in place of Mamunul Islam and the move made an impact as the promising midfielder initiated both goals for his side as Chittagong Abahani looked to bag all three points.

Abdullah's delivery from a free-kick was turned in with a side-volley by Lionel Saint Preux three minutes from the break while his low cross from was guided home with a diving header by Zahid Hossain in the 83rd minute. 

However, two minutes from time, Sheikh Russel's Haitian forward Francois Jacques nodded in a back-header from Uttam Kumar Banik to score the equaliser as the spoils were shared, taking Sheikh Russel's tally to 20 points from 15 matches.

Meanwhile, defending champions Abahani reduced the gap with the leaders to three points after a 4-1 win against Team BJMC in the day's second match. The win took the five-time champions to 33 points while BJMC remained in seventh position with 16 points.  

It was the first match for Abahani since the departure of Croatian coach Drago Mamic, but the Sky Blues seemed to have no shortage of inspiration as they took only 13 minutes to break the deadlock.

Nasiruddin Chowdhury put Abahani ahead heading in a Wali Faisal cross before Nigerian striker Sunday Chizoba doubled the lead after playing a one-two with strike-partner Nabib Newaj Jibon in the 32nd minute. 

Kingsley Oshiokha's left-footed strike, which took a deflection off an Abahani  defender, helped reduce the arrears four minutes into the second half, but Emon Babu restored the two-goal margin in the 70th minute from a corner kick before substitute Emeka Darlington wrapped up the victory with a header in the stoppage time of the second half.