Saif SC earn BPL spot

Newcomers Saif Sporting Club qualified for the Bangladesh Premier League after beating Agrani Bank SRC 1-0 in their last match of the Bangladesh Championship League at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

With Fakirerpool Youngmen's Club confirming their Bangladesh Premier League berth in the penultimate round, the tie between Saif SC and Agrani Bank had turned into a decider for the second qualifying spot.

The sixth win pushed Saif SC to the top of the table with 26 points but Fakirerpool Youngmen Club still have a chance to finish on top when they take on bottom-placed Chittagong Mohammedan SC in their last fixture.

The defeat for Agrani Bank, meanwhile, meant they had to be content with third position with 20 points from 14 matches.

The match was entertaining as both teams played attacking football from the outset before Motin Mia struck the decisive goal in the 23rd minute.

Saif SC survived a few close calls as Agrani Bank were denied by the woodwork once while the Saif SC goalkeeper made a couple of brilliant saves.