Diabate brace denies Kings; Mohammedan, Fortis drop points

Souleymane Diabate scored twice but missed a late spot-kick as Abahani missed a rare opportunity to beat Bashundhara Kings after having fought back from two goals down in an eventual 2-2 draw in the Bangladesh Football League at the Kings Arena on Saturday.

Kings, who were beaten by Police in their last match, made a flying start and went ahead in the fifth minute after Abahani midfielder Yasin Khan misplaced a pass in the middle of the park. Brazilian forward Dorielton Gomes seized possession and released Rakib Hossain with a precise through ball, which the winger finished clinically after entering the box.

The hosts doubled their advantage in the 16th minute. Dorielton once again played the creator's role, beating a defender just outside the area before slipping the ball through for Emmanuel Sunday, who made no mistake with a simple finish.

Abahani, however, pulled one back just three minutes later. Forward Mirajul Islam was brought down inside the box, and Diabate calmly converted the resulting penalty to give his side a lifeline.

Abahani completed the comeback in the 50th minute. Diabate sent a long ball forward from midfield, which Mirajul controlled on the right flank before driving into the box. After a brief exchange with Sheikh Morsalin, Diabate arrived to place a measured right-footed shot into the net.

Abahani had a golden chance to snatch all three points in the 70th minute when they were awarded another penalty. This time, however, Diabate was denied as Kings goalkeeper Anisur Rahman Zico produced a fine save to preserve a share of the points.

Defender Bishwanath Ghosh came on as a late substitute, making his first appearance in professional football after being out with injury for close to two years.

The draw kept Kings at the top of the table with 17 points from eight matches while Abahani remained in fifth position with 10 points.

Photo: BFF

Meanwhile, at the Shaheed Dhirendranath Datta Stadium in Cumilla, Mohammedan were held to a 1-1 draw by Rahmatganj. Rahmatganj took the lead in the 24th minute when Nepalese defender Abhishek Limbu found the net from a Solomon King assist. Mohammedan equalised in the 62nd minute through Ghanaian forward Samuel Boateng. Mohammedan sit sixth in the table with nine points, while Rahmatganj remain third with 14 points.

In another fixture at the Shaheed Birshrestha Flight Lt Matiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj, Brothers Union and Fortis FC played out a 1-1 draw. Brothers took a 21st-minute lead through Moltagim Hemel, but Fortis responded as Pa Omar Babou converted a penalty to restore parity in the 66th minute. The draw left Fortis second in the standings with 15 points, while Brothers are seventh with eight points.

Meanwhile, Fakirerpool moved off the foot of the table with a 2-1 win against fellow strugglers PWD.