Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra Ltd, Mohammedan Sporting Club Ltd and Abahani Limited Dhaka registered victories in their respective penultimate round matches of the ongoing ABG Bashundhara Bangladesh Premier League 2023-24 at three different venues on Saturday.
Sheikh Russel beat bottom-placed Brothers Union Ltd by 3-2 goals at the Muktijuddho Sriti Stadium in Rajshahi while Mohammedan beat Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club by 3-1 goals at the Sheikh Fazlul Haque Mani Stadium in Gopalganj.
Meanwhile, riding on a hat-trick by Saint Vincentian forward Cornelius Stewart, Abahani Dhaka beat Chittagong Abahoni Ltd by 3-2 goals at the Shaheed Bir Shreshtha Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj.
In Rajshahi, all five goals came within the first 31 minutes of the game as Sheikh Russel moved to sixth place in the 10-team points table with 19 points.
Forward Sumon Reza, Uzbek midfielder Akhror Umarjonov and midfielder Chandon Roy scored one each for Sheikh Russel while forward Eleta Kingsley scored a brace for Brothers.
Sheikh Russel’s Ukrainian defender Valeriy Stepanenko and Brothers defender Akmol Hossan Noyon conceded straight red cards each after halftime.
In Gopalganj, Malian forward Souleymane Diabate netted a brace while Nigerian forward Sunday Chukwuemeka Emmanuel added one for Mohammedan in their big win over Sheikh Jamal.
Sheikh Jamal’s Uzbek midfielder Shokhrukhbek Kholmatov scored a consolation goal for his side in the injury time of the second half.
However, the day’s most exciting game took place in Munshiganj where Abahani Dhaka conceded two early goals against Chittagong Abahoni but Cornelius scored three goals in the last 13 minutes of the game to give his side a thrilling win in the end.