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Sky-Blues closer to title

Sports Reporter
Abahani looked to be in a haze but had enough muscle to
down an understrength Muktijoddha 1-0 yesterday to take a step closer to the Citycell B. League title.
Ghanaian playmaker Awudu Ibrahim scored the lone goal at the Bangabandhu National Stadium after nine minutes to give Abahani full three points that took the defending champions to 41 points after 17 matches, six ahead of Sheikh Russel and nine clear of Mohammedan who have a match in hand.
Amalesh Sen's league leaders will now need just four points from the remaining three matches against Brothers Union, Russel and Rahmatganj to defend their professional league title.
After a great comeback against archrivals Mohammedan, which they won 2-1 from a first half deficit, the Sky-Blues began brightly but showed the hangover of a tough match played just four days ago as the game progressed.
Emeka came close with his first touch of the match but the Nigerian, playing as striker in absence of suspended Emily who had had his third booking in the last match, hit the woodwork in the very first minute. Waly Faisal sent a low cross from the left and Emeka's angled shot came off the base of the far post to the safe hands of James Paul.
Abahani also rested Ghanaian defender Samad Yussif and left-winger Mamun but did not struggle to get their
first goal as Ibrahim, who returned from Holland the day after the Abahani-Mohammedan clash, celebrated his comeback with his third league goal.
Siraji, who also returned to the side after sitting out the game against Mohammedan, sent Emeka racing into the box with a brilliant through and the Nigerian's square pass from the right side of the box picked Ibrahim, who sidefooted the ball into the far corner shrugging off a challenge by Reds rightback Rony.
Nigerian goalkeeper James
then denied a Pranotosh header from point-blank range during a corner while the Abahani midfielder fluffed another chance from close before the break.
With Abahani playing in a walking pace after Joy limped off the pitch in the first half, Muktijoddha twice threatened Biplab at the rival goal after resumption. But skipper Titu failed to keep his volley under the bar while Kanchan was dispossessed by Waly inside the box.
Abahani enjoyed superior 1 ft
M Dhaka Thursday January 29,2009
ball possession against the second-from-bottom side but hardly showed any signs of going all out for a second goal although chances came aplenty.
Substitute Tipu dodged past a Reds defender in the 67th minute with Ibrahim's through but the veteran striker's shot went straight to James. A minute later, Tipu got back possession but his effort from 15 yards skimmed the upright.
Abahani could have made it 2-0 - - the result of the first-leg clash between the two sides - but for James's spectacular save in the 76th minute. Zahed Parvez exchanged passes with Tipu and
Ibrahim to get inside the area but his powerful shot was blocked by James, who left his post to keep the scoreline slim.
It was the 11 th loss for Muktijoddha, who stuck to nine points after 16 outings.
Yellowcard: Ibrahim (Abahani)
TEAMS
ABAHANI: Biplab, Siraji, Nazrul. Sujan. Waly.
Zahed, Joy (Tipu), Pranotosh, Abul (TUshar), Emeka and Ibrahim.
MUKTIJODDHA James, Apu, Ddumba. Davis (Bipul), Rony, Sentu, Biddyut (Moni), Tajul, Titu, Kanchan andWalid (Milon).
Referee: Abdul Hannan