Dhaka, Apr 19 (UNB)- Bangladesh Police AC and Dhaka City FC won their respective matches in the Bangladesh Championship League (BCL) Football on Saturday.

Bangladesh Police AC defeated T&T Club by 1-0 goal at Bir Shrestra Shaheed Shipahi M Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Kamlapur. Amirul netted the match-winner in the 44th minute.

In the day’s other match, Dhaka City FC outplayed Wari Club by 2-1 goals.

After a goalless first half, Kanchan netted the first goal for Dhaka City in 54th minute. Later, Mahi doubled the score for his side in the 69th minute (2-0). Amitab scored for Wari Club in the stoppage time (90+ 2 minute).

Dhaka, Apr 19 (UNB) – Sheikh Russel KC Ltd finished 3rd in the 13-team Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football after the first phase beating Team BJMC by 1-0 goal on the last day at Shaheed Bulu Stadium in Noakhali on Saturday.

On the other hand Brothers Union Ltd. completed the first phase with their 2nd victory in the league stunning top ranking Arambagh KS also by 1-0 goal at Rafiq Uddin Bhuiyan Stadium in Mymensingh on Saturday.

After the first phase of BPL, Sheikh Russel were in the 3rd slot in the league table after league leader Bashundhara Kings (34 points) and holders Dhaka Abahani Limited (30 points) securing 27 points from 12 matches with 8 wins, 3 draws and one defeat.

Despite the day’s defeat, Arambagh KS finished 5th with 19 points in 12 matches with 6 wins, on draw and 5 losses, Brother Union were placed 11th with eight points while Team BJMC finished bottom with four points from 12 matches. Traditional Dhaka Mohammedan were in the 12th slot with six points

In Noakhali, Sheikh Russel sweated out for the victory against Team BJMC. Sheikh Russel attackers started their dominations from the beginning, but hadn’t got any success.

In the 43rd minute of the match, Brazilian striker Alex Rafael scored the match winner for Sheikh Russel KC (1-0).

In the day’s another match, Brothers Union stunned the 5th-placed Arambagh KS beating them by 1-0 goal in Mymensingh.

After a goalless first half, Brazilian attacker Everton Souza Santos netted the match decider for the Gopibagh outfit in the 77th minute. Later, Arambagh KS tried hard to come in the match, but failed. 

Standings of BPL Football after the first phase matches:

Dhaka, April 20 (UNB) – Chattogram Division maintained unbeaten run in the Sheikh Kamal U-20 National Football Tournament beating Mymensingh Division by 2-0 goals in their 2nd match at the Sankar Gobindha Chowdhury Stadium in Natore  on Saturday.

Ibrahim scored both the goals for Chattogram in 20th and 34th minute respectively.

Chattogram played to a 1-1 draw with Rajshahi Division in the opening match in Natore on Wednesday.

After the day’s match, Chattogram and Rajshahi Division have secured four points from two matches, Mymensingh bagged three points from two outings while Sylhet yet to open the account.

In another match of the day, Khulna Division reached the semifinal beating all-losers Rangpur Division by a solitary scored by Maruf in the 35th minute at the Bir Shreshta Munshi Abdur Rab Stadium in Narail on Saturday.   

Another semifinalist Dhaka Division, which beat Rangpur by 2-0 goals last Wednesday, will play Khulna on Sunday in Narail to decide group champion while Chattogram will play Sylhet, also on Sunday in Natore.

Dhaka, April 20 (UNB) – Hosts Bangladesh are confident about winning the first edition of Bangamata Women’s U-19 International Gold Cup Football tournament beginning Monday.

Six nations are taking part in the competition which will be played at Bangabandhu National Stadium (BNS).

Bangladesh will take on United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the opening match at 6pm. The hosts will play against Kyrgyzstan on April 26 in the remaining group match.

Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal is expected to inaugurate the 12-day meet named after Bangamata Begum Fazilatunnessa Mujib.

The teams have been divided into two groups. Group A consists of Mongolia, Tajikistan and Laos while Group B comprises UAE, Kyrgyzstan and Bangladesh.

Two top teams from each group will play in the semifinals. Group A champions will play Group B runners-up on April 29 while Group B champions will face Group A runners-up on April 30 at the same venue. 

The final is scheduled for May 3.

In a pre-meet press conference at the BFF House on Saturday, Bangladesh Head Coach Golam Rabbani Choton appeared confident about his team.

“Our team made some mistakes in the SAFF Women’s Championship but they’re trying to overcome these lapses,” he said. “The girls are well prepared to take the challenge.”    

Bangladesh captain Mishrat Jahan Moushumi concurred. “This time we are well- prepared to win the title, named after the mother of our Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.”

She said her team members “are fit”. “We’ve gathered enough experience from the previous tournament. Now, we’ll try to play good football in every match,” she said. “We’ve been preparing with victory in our mind.”

Bangladesh Football Federation's women wing Chairman and FIFA Council Member Mahfuza Akter Kiron, BFF General Secretary Md Abu Nayeem Shohag, team Manager Amirul Islam Babu, Vice-Captain Maria Manda and BFF Technical and Strategic Director Paul Thomas Smalley were also present at the media conference. 

Of the five foreign teams, Tajikistan, UAE and Mongolia are already in Dhaka. Laos are scheduled to arrive Saturday evening while Kyrgyzstan will arrive on Sunday morning.

BFF arranged two practice venues – Abahani ground in Dhanmondi and BNS – for the participating teams. Bangladesh and Mongolia had their practice sessions at BNS while Tajikistan and UAE had theirs at Abahani Club ground.

BFF and K-Sports are jointly organising Bangamata U-19 Women’s International Gold Cup 2019 to celebrate Fazilatunnesa Mujib’s life and ideals. It will be the first competitive tournament for women arranged by BFF after 2004.

The organisers have already released the event’s theme song and video. A trophy unveiling ceremony will be held at Hotel Intercontinental on Sunday. The tickets are expected to go on sale from Monday at BNS but their prices are yet to be announced.

Bangladesh squad: Rupna Chakma, Mahamuda Akter, Yeamin Akter, Masura Pervin, Mossammot Akhi Khatun, Mossammot Nargis Khatun, Sheuli Azim, Misrat Jahan Mousumi (C), Shamsunnahar, Nilufar Yeasmin Nila, Nazma Akter, Maria Manda (VC), Monika Chakma, Israt Jahan Ratna, Marzia, Mossamot Rajia Khatun, Sanjida Akter, Sirat Jahan Shopna, Krishna Rani Sarker, Shamsunnahar, Sajeda Khatun, Tohura Khatun, and Mossamot Sultana.

Dhaka, Apr 19 (UNB) - Fakirerpool Youngmen’s Club outplayed Feni Soccer Club by 1-0 goal in the ongoing Bangladesh Championship League (BCL) football at Bir Shrestra Shaheed Shipahi M Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Kamalapur on Friday.

Fakirerpool’s Khandoker scored the lone goal in the 42nd minute that led his side to the victory. Feni Soccer Club tried hard, but failed to level the score.