Fortis FC took the lead in the opening match in such a situation that if Abahani loses, Mohammedan will win the Bangladesh Premier League title for the first time. Then, the game was stopped for a while due to rain and lightning. Normal play was also disrupted due to waterlogging on the field. After becoming 10 men due to Manjur Rahman Manik's red card, Fortis doubled the lead. Abahani turned around a little later, but could not save the end. With their loss, Mohammedan was assured of the title with three matches remaining.
Abahani lost 2-1 to Fortis at the Shaheed Dhirendranath Dutta Stadium in Comilla on Saturday.
Champion Mohammedan has 38 points. Abahani is in second place with 28 points from 15 matches.
The blue-and-white jersey holders are now aiming to finish as runners-up in the league. Their main battle in the remaining three rounds is with Bashundhara Kings. The Kings are in third place with 25 points from 15 matches.
Mohammedan had been longing for this title since the professional league was named in 2007. Finally, their wait is over. The black and white jersey holders got to taste this trophy for the first time since 2002 as a top league.
Mohammedan had the potential to win the league last season, but they could not deliver. They finished the season in second place, behind Kings in the table.
Although Abahani came out to put pressure on Mohammedan, they started playing simple football from the start. Fortis kept putting pressure on their defense. In the 11th minute, Pa Omar Babu's shot was blocked by the defense. After 18 minutes of play, the game was stopped due to rain and lightning. The game resumed after 20 minutes.
Pa Omar gave Fortis the lead from the penalty spot after beating Mitul Marma. The Gambian forward was fouled in the box.
Water accumulated in various places, making the field heavy and slippery. As a result, the normal pace of the game between the two teams also decreased. Abahani tried to turn things around in the second half; but Fortis kept them confined to the box with a solid defense.
Abahani had a good chance in the 65th minute, but Emeka Ogbah's shot from inside the box was blocked by Fortis goalkeeper Sarwar Jahan after Rafael's cross.
After 10 minutes, Fortis' Manjur Rahman Manik clashed with Abahani's Suman Reza in a fight for possession of the ball. Manik was shown a straight red card for elbowing his opponent. Suman received a yellow card.
Abahani's turnaround became even more difficult when Sajeed Jumman Nijhum doubled the lead with a long-range shot from between two defenders. Mitul, who had come off the post, did not have time to return.
Mohammad Hridoy scored Abahani's only goal in the 78th minute. He headed in Rafael Augusto's free kick.
RS
