Fahim, Kingsley slam hattricks

A couple of hattricks from Faisal Ahmed Fahim and Eleta Kingsley helped Abahani stage a statement 7-0 victory over bottom-dwellers Azampur FC Uttara at Mymensingh's Rafique Uddin Bhuiyan Stadium yesterday.

Having suffered their first defeat of the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) in their previous fixture against leaders Bashundhara Kings, the six-time champions are still nine points behind Kings after 10 matches.

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Despite the absence of Brazilian Raphael Augusto and Costa Rican Daniel Colindres, the local players stepped up. On the other hand, Azampur could not keep their resistance after Fahim broke the deadlock in the 35th minute.

Following resumption, Fahim and Kingsley took turns in scoring as the former struck his third in the 79th minute while Kingsley sealed his hattrick in stoppage time. Captain Nabib Newaj Jibon also registered his name on the scoresheet in the 64th minute.

Meanwhile, at the Shaheed Flight Lt Matiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj, a seven-minute header from Emon Shahriar was good enough for Mohammedan Sporting Club to down Rahmatganj MFS.

Elsewhere, despite being a man short for the last 70 minutes, newcomers Fortis FC were on the verge of upsetting another powerhouse in Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club after having stunned Mohammedan in their previous match. However, Sheikh Jamal avoided a defeat, courtesy of a stoppage-time strike from Nodirbek, as the three-time champions played out a 1-1 draw at Shaheed Smriti Stadium in Rajshahi.

Sheikh Jamal are now sixth with 14 points, two points ahead of Mohammedan and Fortis while Rahmatganj and Azampur are in the ninth and bottom place, respectively.