Football
BPL Football: Kings further consolidate top slot beating Rahmatganj 4-1
Coming from behind, defending champions Bashundhara Kings further consolidated their top slot in the 10-team ABG Bashundhara Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football outplaying mediocre Rahmatganj MFS by 4-1 goals at the Bashundhara Kings Arena here Friday evening.
Ghana forward Boateng put the old Dhaka outfit Rahmatganj MFS ahead in the very 10th minute of the match, to the frustration of the home crowd (1-0).
But, local forward Rakib Hossain leveled the Kings margin in the 26th minute by a brilliant shot amid huge relief of the Kings fans (1-1).
Brazilian midfielder Miguel put the Kings ahead from behind in the 55th minute (2-1).
Brazilian forward Dorielton Gomes further widen the Kings margin by a placing shot in the 3rd minute of stoppage time (90+3 minute) while another Brazilian striker Robson Robinho sealed the fate of the match from a penalty in the 6th minute of the stoppage time (90+6 minute) (4-1).
In the day's match, Bashundhara Kings used Bengali number in their team jersey
With day's convincing victory, star studded Bashundhara Kings comfortably dominated the league table securing 21 points from eight matches while Rahmatganj MFS are in the 7th slot collecting seven points from eight outings.
Mohammedan SC, the lone unbeaten team in the league, followed the Kings distantly securing 15 points while former champions Dhaka Abahani Ltd are in the 3rd slot collecting 13 points, playing seven matches each.
In the day' s other league match, Fortis FC advanced to the 4th in the league table beating Bangladesh Police FC by 2-1 goals at the Muktijoddha Smrity Stadium in Rajshahi on Friday.
After a barren first half, Gambian forward Pa Omar scored first for Fortis FC in the 51 st minute while Edward neutralized the margin for Police FC in the 80th minute (1-1).
Ukraine medio Valeri scored the match winning goal for Fortis FC in the stoppage time (90+4 minute) of the match (2-1).
With the day's well merited victory, Fortis FC advanced to the 4th slot in the league table securing nine points from eight matches while Police FC went down to the 8th slot with seven points from eight encounters..
In the remaining 8th round matches on Saturday, Dhaka Abahani will play Chittagong Abahani, Dhaka Mohammedan will face Sheikh Jamal DC while Sheikh Russel KC will encounter Brothers Union Club.
Bangladesh Championship League (BCL) Football begins Monday
Bangladesh Championship League (BCL) Football' 2023-24, the country's 2nd Tier Professional Football league after Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) will begin on Monday (February 19) at the Bir Sherestha Shaheed Shipahi Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Kamalapur.
Fakirerpool Youngmen's Club will play BFF Elite Football Academy team in the opening first phase match of the eight-team league, will kick off 3:15 pm on Monday.
Two more matches will be held on Wednesday ( February 21) after a recess on Tuesday.
NoFel Sporting Club will face PWD Sports Club at 1 pm while Wari Club will meet Farashganj Sporting Club 3:15 pm at the same venue on Wednesday.
Dhaka Wanderers Club will encounter Uttara Football Club Limited at 3:15 pm on Friday (February 23).
The first phase of the league will conclude on March 17.
BPL Football: Holders Bashundhara Kings to play Rahmatganj MFS Friday
Defending champions Bashundhara Kings to play mediocre Rahmatganj MFS in the 8th round match of the 10-team ABG Bashundhara Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football on Friday (February 16).
The match will kick off at 5:15 pm at the Bashundhara Kings Arena in the capital.
In the day' s other league match, Bangladesh Police FC will meet Fortis FC at 3 pm at the Muktijoddha Smriri Stadium in Rajshahi.
In the remaining 8th round matches on Saturday,
Dhaka Abahani will play Chittagong Abahani, Dhaka Mohammedan will face Sheikh Jamal DC while Sheikh Russel KC will encounter Brothers Union Club.
Star studded Bashundhara Kings comfortably dominated the league table securing 18 points from seven matches despite of their lone defeat against Federation Cup champions Mohammedan SC in the 6th round match.
Mohammedan SC, the lone unbeaten team in the league, followed the Kings neck and neck securing 15 points while former champions Dhaka Abahani Ltd are in the 3rd slot collecting 13 points, both playing seven matches.
After the 7th round matches, six teams shared 4th to 9th places. They are : Chittagong Abahani Ltd (9 Pts) Sheikh Jamal DC ( 9 Pts) Rahmatganj MFS ( 7 Pts) Police FC (7 Pts). Fortis FC (6 Pts) and Sheikh Russel KC (6 Pts)
Brothers Union Club remained at the bottom of the league table securing three points from seven matches.
BFF President Kazi Salahuddin leaves for Germany for health checkup
The President of the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF), Kazi Mohammad Salahuddin, who is also the President of the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF), left Dhaka for Germany on Tuesday night for health checkup.
Salahuddin, who underwent coronary artery bypass surgery in Dhaka on December 28 last year, did not appear before the public after the surgery and spent isolated times in his residence as per the advice of the doctor.
Recently, he decided to go for a further health checkup and spend some time in Germany with his only daughter for a change.
After getting a German visa, Salahuddin left Dhaka for Germany,accompanied by his son-in-law, on Tuesday.
The BFF president is likely to stay in Germany for about a month.
Fed Cup Football: Emmanuel guides Mohammedan SC to clinch group title beating Abahani
A brace by Nigerian medio Emmanuel Sunday guided holders Dhaka Mohammedan SC to reach the quarterfinal of the 35th Federation Cup Football as the unbeaten champions of Group B beating their old rivals Dhaka Abahani Ltd by 2-1 goals at the Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni Stadium in Gopalganj on Tuesday afternoon.
This was another creditable victory for Dhaka Mohammedan SC in the season after beating the BPL champions and star studded Bashundhara Kings in the premier league match very recently
.Fed Cup Football: Mohammedan SC will battle with Dhaka Abahani Ltd for Group B title
In the day's last group match, coming from behind, traditional black and white Mohammedan SC smartly qualified for the knockout stage of the meet with an all-win record, securing nine full points from three straight matches.
Despite the day's maiden defeat in the meet, Dhaka Abahani Ltd also moved into the quarterfinal as Group B runners-up, securing six points from three group encounters.
Fed Cup Football: Bashundhara Kings beat Sheikh Russel to reach quarterfinal as group champion
In the day's match, St Vincent forward Cornelius scored first for the popular sky-blue Dhanmondi outfit Abahani in the 39th minute with a brilliant placing shot to lead the first half by 1-0.
But, two quick goals by Nigerian midfielder Emmanuel Sunday in the span of only four minutes (51st and 55th minutes) changed the entire scenario of the match and made an easy passage for Mohammedan's victory.
Fed Cup Football: Mohammedan, Abahani put in same group
Emmanuel levelled the Mohammedan margin also by a placing shot, utilising a pass from Uzbek booter Muzzafforov (1-1).
He again scored the match-winner for Mohammedan SC in the 55th minute, pushing the ball home from close off a back header from his teammate (2-1).
Later, Emmanuel was adjudged the best player of the match.
Mohammedan SC earned a deserving victory in the day's match, especially playing a good brand of football in the second half.
In the remaining Group B match, Chittagong Abahani Ltd tasted their first victory in their third and last match, beating Brothers Union Club by 3-0 goals at the Bir Shreshtha Fl Lt Matiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj on Tuesday afternoon.
Both teams have already been eliminated from the race with three and zero points after playing all three matches.
Former king-back Monem Munna remembered on his 19th death anniversary
The country's best ever central back, Monem Munna, popularly known as King-Back, who was equally popular in Bangladesh and West Bengal, was remembered on his 19th death anniversary on Monday.
Bangladesh's ever-best defender and star footballer, Monem Munna, who was born in the port city of Narayanganj in 1966, passed away on February 12, 2005, at the age of only 38 due to kidney diseases.
Apart from playing for the Bangladesh national team and in the leading local clubs, fan favourite Munna also played for Kolkata East Bengal for three seasons (1991–92, 1993–94, 995–96), to the complete satisfaction of West Bengal fans.
He guided Kolkata East Bengal Club to clinch three consecutive league titles.
Munna's former club, East Bengal Club, remembered him on his death anniversary and gave a status on their Facebook page (Mone Munna) on Monday, saying, "Remembering our former defender Mohammad Monem Munna on his 19th death anniversary."
"Fondly called ‘King-back’, the former Bangladesh captain represented us in three stints (1991–92, 1993–94, and 1995–96) and was an absolute fan favourite!"
Bangladeshi winger Sanjida Akhter, now playing for the Kolkata East Bengal in the Indian Women's League, was also given an emotional status on Munna's death anniversary on her Facebook page from Kolkata.
Munna, who started his football career in the Pioneer Football League, played for Shantinagar Club, Muktijoddha Sangsad KC, Brothers Union Club, and mostly for Dhaka Abahani Ltd.
Bangladesh won their first ever international football trophy—the four-nation football tournament in Myanmar—in 1995 under Munna's leadership.
His club, Dhaka Abahani Limited, and a large number of football fans remembered him on his death anniversary.
Fed Cup Football: Mohammedan SC will battle with Dhaka Abahani Ltd for Group B title
Two traditional rivals--holders Dhaka Mohammedan SC and runners up Dhaka Abahani Limited --will battle with each other on Tuesday (February 13) for the Group B title of the 35th Federation Cup Football Tournament.
The match will kick-off at 3 pm at the Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni Stadium in Gopalganj.
Both the teams have already assured the quarterfinal berth from B with one match to spare securing full six points from straight two matches, will now meet each other only for the group crown.
The remaining two Group B teams --Chittagong Abahani Ltd and Brothers Union Club-- which already eliminated from race, will face each other at the Bir Shreshtha Fl Lt Matiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj on Tuesday, also at 3 pm for their maiden victory
Earlier, Sheikh Jamal DC, Police FC (Group A), Bashundhara Kings and Fortis FC (Group C) were qualified from the quarter finals, which will begin on April 2, after a long gap.
SAFF U-19 Women's: Bangladesh, India declared joint champions after match commissioner's fault
Hosts Bangladesh and India declared joints champions in the four-nation South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) U-19 Women's Championship '2024 after a two-hour-long delayed decision following the match commissioner's shameful fault in the final on Thursday.
The title deciding and tense- packed final match between two neighboring rivals was locked in 1-1 goals in the stipulated 90-minute at the Bir Shreshtha Shaheed Shipahi Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Kamalapur here Thursday evening.
Then the match moved toward the tie breaker where it was again locked in 5-5 goals in the five each shots.
The final match was again locked in 11-11 goals in the sudden death session of the tie breaker that made match officials confused.
The match commissioner then surprisingly advised the match referee to decide the fate of the final through a toss (by a coin) in place of continuing the sudden death session as per bylaws.
India won the toss and started their maiden title celebration, but Bangladesh team refused the referee's illegal toss decision and stayed in the field alongside their huge local fans.
Complying to the Bangladesh protest and reviewing the tournament's bye laws, the commissioner and referee changed their decision
and advised both the teams to continue the sudden death session to decide the champions.
But India regretted the new decision and left the field immediately saying that they did not expect any result but the champions.
Finally, both the teams declared joints champions by SAFF authority as the match commissioner admit his fault
Minister for Youth and Sports Nazmul Hasan Papon, who is also the President of Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), was present in the match as the chief guest, also played a good role for an amicable settlement.
Earlier in the day's match, Sibani Devu, who made a hattrick in India's 10-0 goals victory over Bhutan in tournament opener, put India ahead in the very 8th minute by a cool placing shot, off a Nitu Linda's through pass,utilising the lapses of Bangladesh defender and custodian Swarna Rani Sarkar (1-0).
When the match was almost heading for a Indian victory, then Bangladeshi wonder girl Sagorika again came to rescue Bangladesh scoring the match equaliser in the 4th minute of the stoppage
time amid huge enthusiasm from local fans (1-1).
It was the 4th goal for Sagorika in the ongoing tournament, scoring twice against Nepal and two against India -- one in the group match and another in the final..
Incidentally, it was also the 4th successive win for Bangladesh against India after winning the SAFF U-19 Women's Championship title in 2021 beating India twice--first in the league match and the 2nd in the final match
Bangladesh also smartly reached the final of the ongoing meet with an all-win record securing nine points from straight three league matches beating Nepal 3-1, India 1-0 and outplaying all losers Bhutan by 4-0 goals.
India booked a seat for the final crushing Bhutan by 10-0 goals, outplaying by Nepal by 4-0 goals and losing to hosts Bangladesh by 0-1 goal.
Bangladesh team : Swarna Rani Sarkar, Afeida Khandokar, Ruma Akter, Joynob Bibi Rita, Surma Jannat, Munki Akhter, Sapna Rani, Masamat Sagorika, Puja Das, Eti Khatun and Bonna Khatun.
SAFF U-19 Women's: Bangladesh to play India in final Thursday to retain title
Two old rivals—Holders Bangladesh and runners-up India—will play each other again in the final of the four-nation South Asian Football Federation's (SAFF) U-19 Women's Championship '2024 on Thursday to retain the title.
The title-deciding final match between two neighbouring rivals will kick off at 6 pm local time at the Bir Shreshtha Shaheed Shipahi Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Dhaka's Kamalapur.
SAFF U-19 Women's: Bangladesh reach final with all -win record outplaying Bhutan by 4-0 goals
Bangladesh are enjoying an upper-hand advantage against their giant rivals, India, beating them for the last three consecutive times after clinching the SAFF U-19 Women's Championship after clinching the title of the last version of the meet in 2021, beating India twice—first in the league match and second in the final match.
Bangladesh smartly reached the final with an all-win record, securing nine full points from three straight league matches, beating Nepal 3-1, India 1-0, and outplaying all losers Bhutan by 4-0 goals.
SAFF U-19 Women's: Bangladesh to play Bhutan on Tuesday
India booked a seat for the final, crushing Bhutan by 10-0 goals, outplaying Nepal by 4-0 goals, and losing to hosts Bangladesh by 0-1 goals.
Ahead of Thursday's final, both teams made their final practices on Wednesday afternoon.
SAFF U-19 Women's Champs: Sagorika guides host Bangladesh to final beating India by 1-0 goal
Speaking to the media, Bangladesh captain Afeida Khondakar said, "Our target is to clinch the title playing our usual game; we are not taking any extra pressure against the match with India."
"We worked hard for the tournament for a long time, and now we want to reach our ultimate goal of playing good football in the final," she added.
Defending champions Bangladesh, which ensured the final berth with one match spare after beating their giant rivals India by a 1-0 goal in their second league match last Sunday, now have to show their big match temperament against India in Thursday's final to be the champions for the second successive time.
SAFF U-19 Women's: Bangladesh reach final with all -win record outplaying Bhutan by 4-0 goals
Holders Bangladesh reached the final of the four-nation South Asian Football Federation's (SAFF) U-19 Women's Championship '2024 with an all-win record, beating all losers Bhutan by 4-0 goals at the Bir Shreshtha Shaheed Shipahi Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Dhaka's Kamalapur on Tuesday.
Defending champions Bangladesh, which assured the final berth with one match spare after beating their giant rivals India by a 1-0 goal in their second league match last Sunday, will play India again in the final on Thursday.
The title-deciding final match between two neighbouring rivals will kick off at 6 p.m. local time at the same venue.
In the day's second and last match, Bangladesh fielded their second string team, resting some nine regular players, but faced no trouble to dominate over their rivals Bhutan by 2-0 in the first half.
Oeyshi Khatun scored twice for Bangladesh in the 31st and 63rd minutes, while Nushrat Jahan and Trishna Rani netted the remaining two goals in the 18th and 58th minutes, respectively.
Earlier in the day's first match, India eliminated Nepal, beating them by 4-0 goals at the same venue on Tuesday afternoon.
After a barren first, Neha struck twice for India in the 54th and 81st minutes, while Sulanjana Raul and Cindy Remruatpuli Colney netted two other goals for India in the 86th and 90+3 minutes, respectively.
On completion of the league-based matches on Tuesday, hosts Bangladesh comfortably dominated the points table, with an all-win run securing a full nine points from three straight matcheswhile India finished 2second,collecting six points from three matches to reach the final.
Nepal and Bhutan were eliminated from the race with three and zero, respectively.
Earlier, the Young Tigresses made a good start in the four-nation meet, beating Himalayan nation Nepal by 3-1 goals and ensuring the final, beating India by 1-0 goals, while India also made a flying start, crushing Bhutan by 10-0 goals on opening day and ensuring the final, outplaying Nepal by 4-0 goals.
Nepal U-19 Women's team earned the lone victory, beating Bhutan U-19 Women's side by a 1-0 goal last Sunday.