Abahani return to winning ways

Reigning runners-up Abahani returned to winning ways in the Bangladesh Football League with a commanding 5-0 victory over hosts Fakirerpool Young Men's Club at the Shaheed Miraj-Tapan Stadium in Manikganj on Saturday.

Malian forward Souleymane Diabate struck a brace, while Mirajul Islam, Sheikh Morsalin and Al Amin added one goal apiece as the Sky Blues registered their second league win. Abahani now sit fourth in the 10-team table with eight points from six matches.

Coming into the match after a 1-0 defeat to Brothers Union in the Federation Cup and a goalless league draw against Fortis FC, Abahani needed a morale-boosting performance -- and the side coached by Maruful Haque delivered emphatically, scoring as many goals as they had managed in their previous five league matches combined.

Fakirerpool showed early resistance but fell behind in the 32nd minute when Diabate tapped in a square pass from Mohammad Ibrahim. The hosts had a chance to respond four minutes later, but Ivoirian forward Ouattara Ben Ibrahim missed a penalty. Diabate doubled the lead in the 41st minute before Mirajul made it 3-0 just before the break.

Abahani maintained control after the interval, with Morsalin and Al Amin adding further goals to seal the 5-0 win -- their second-biggest victory over Fakirerpool after last season's 6-1 triumph.

In the day's other match, newcomers PWD held Bangladesh Police to a goalless draw. Police slipped to sixth place with one win and four draws from six matches, while PWD are eighth with six points.