Pakistani striker Syed Ali Raza scored twice to inspire Brothers Union to their first win of the league season today, inflicting a 2-1 defeat on previously unbeaten Abahani Limited at the Gopalganj Stadium.
The shock result ended a frustrating three-match winless run for Brothers and handed Abahani their first dropped points of the campaign.
Ali Raza proved to be the match-winner in a fiery contest. He opened the scoring in the first half, punishing a defensive mistake by the Abahani backline. Robiul Hasan levelled the match for Abahani shortly after the break, but their joy was short-lived. A perfect long pass from Jamal Bhuyan found Raza, who took full advantage of a misjudgement by Abahani defender Assaduzzaman Bablu to fire Brothers back in front.
The match boiled over in the 61st minute. Abahani's Nigerian forward Anthony Okachi shoved Brothers' Brazilian defender Felipe Santana, who immediately pushed him back. The referee showed no hesitation, producing straight red cards for both players and leaving both teams to play out the final half-hour with 10 men.
Mahfuz Hasan stood in goal for Abahani, stepping in for regular keeper Mitul Marma. While he carried some of the blame for the opening goal, he later produced two fine saves, though it was not enough to rescue a point for his side.
Following the defeat, Abahani stay on seven points from four matches, having recorded two wins and a draw prior to today. Brothers Union climb to five points, bouncing back from two draws and a loss in their opening three games.
In the day's other fixture, Rahmatganj Muslim Friends Society edged past Fakirerpool Young Men's Club with a thrilling 3-2 victory.