Abahani held by 10-man Rahmatganj

Last season's runners-up Abahani received a jolt in their opening match of Bangladesh Football League with a goalless draw against 10-man Rahmatganj at Birshreshtha Flight Lt. Matiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj on Friday.

Abahani, considered the second favourites in the 17th edition of the league, made a disappointing start against a side, who also held them to draws twice in last season's league.

Despite being reduced to 10 men in the 39th minute the Old Dhaka Outfit even went close to breaking the deadlock at the start of the second half.

The charges of Maruful Haque reorganised and pressed hard for a lead until the final whistle but the lack of cutting edge saw them drop two point in their opening game.

At Shaheed Miraj-Tapan Stadium in Manikganj, Arambagh marked their return to the top-tier league with a 1-1 draw against Fakirerpool Young Men's Club.

Arambagh, who last played in the professional league in 2021, took the lead through a strike from Nigerian forward Yaya John Denapo in the 60th minute before Egyptian forward Mostafa Mahmoud equalised in stoppage time of the second half.