Previous Story
Gazipur rules US Bangla Premier League
|
Posted on Jan 27 2021
Saiful Islam takes a shot for Gazipur’s first goal in the championship game. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)
Gazipur capped its perfect run in the U.S. Bangla Premier League with a 2-1 finals victory over Narayanganj last Sunday at the Francisco M. Sablan Middle School.
Saiful Islam and Palma Joy recorded the goals for Gazipur in the one-game championship duel.
Islam drew first blood for the unbeaten squad, making the goal in the seventh minute off a rebound. Islam’s teammate took a shot from right center and Narayanganj goalie Rasal dove, partially deflecting the ball for the save. However, with Rasal had yet to establish back his defense at the post, Islam got the possession and unloaded a follow-up with the former this time having butterfingers and instead of pushing the ball out, he dropped the leather that eventually rolled in, giving Gazipur a 1-0 advantage.
Gazipur kept the shaky lead at the break, while Narayanganj equalized in the 35th minute off Mamun’s goal.
A Gazipur player, center, kicks the ball, while a Narayanganj attempts to deflect it during the first half of their title match in the US Bangla Premier League last Sunday at the Francisco M. Sablan Middle School. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)
Then just when things seemed to be working well for Narayanganj in its bid to upset the undefeated Gazipur, Rasal committed another boo, handing the eventual champion an own goal that was credited to Joy.
The Amzad Khan-captained Gazipur went on to keep the precarious lead as time expired, allowing the team to rule the competition with a perfect mark.
Gazipur won five matches in the elimination round, downing Narayanganj, Kushtia, Shariatpur, Comilla, and Munshiganj. Then in the semis, Gazipur edged Shariatpur, 1-0, to set up a finals duel against Narayanganj, which reached the championship game following a 2-0 triumph over Kushtia.
“Our team did really well in this tournament,” said Khan, who thanked the Bangladeshi community on Saipan for organizing the competition.
