MUNSHIGANJ, Bangladesh (Interstat) — Ali Raza scored twice as Brothers Union defeated visiting Abahani Limited 2-1 in a football match on Friday at Shaheed Bir Sreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium. Raza opened the scoring in the 27th minute and supplied the decisive goal in the 75th. Abahani Limited’s Robiul Hasan leveled in the 58th minute, but the visitors could not find an equalizer after Brothers Union reclaimed the lead. Raza also picked up a yellow card, and Jamal Bhuyan recorded an assist for Brothers Union.

The result left Brothers Union with 1 win, 2 losses and 2 draws in the competition, and 2 wins, 2 losses and 3 draws across all competitions. Abahani Limited is now 2 wins and 1 loss in the competition and 2 wins and 1 loss across all competitions. The victory was Brothers Union’s first in the competition this season, while Abahani Limited suffered its first competition loss. Abahani Limited had entered on a two-match winning run in the competition, having beaten Chattogram 3-1 at home and Dhaka Wanderers 5-1 on the road. Brothers Union had drawn at Rahmatgonj MFS and beaten Fakirerpool YMC at home in its previous two competition matches. Earlier this season, Brothers Union lost at home to Fortis, drew at PWD Sports Club, drew at Rahmatganj MFS and lost at home to City Club.

Brothers Union took the lead when Raza scored in the 27th minute. Abahani Limited answered through Hasan in the 58th minute, but Raza struck again in the 75th to restore the home side’s advantage. The match grew increasingly physical. Hossain S. of Abahani Limited was booked in the 54th minute, and Raza S.A. of Brothers Union was cautioned in the 55th. The match then turned in the 62nd minute when Brothers Union’s Jonathan Santana and Abahani Limited’s Okachi A. were both sent off. Brothers Union protected its lead from there, though Sarkar S. was booked in the 88th minute and Khan Y. of Abahani Limited was booked in the third minute of stoppage time.

Raza’s two-goal performance headlined the match for Brothers Union. He scored in the 27th and 75th minutes and was shown a yellow card in the 55th. Hasan scored Abahani Limited’s only goal in the 58th minute. Bhuyan recorded an assist. Abahani Limited made substitutions involving Faysal N.H. in the 46th minute, Afolabi S. in the 69th and Hossain S. in the 70th. Brothers Union had a substitution involving Hemel M. in the 82nd minute.

Abahani Limited pushed for a response after Hasan’s goal but could not break through again. Brothers Union’s defense held firm in the closing minutes, and the home side secured the victory. The match included four yellow cards and two red cards overall. Brothers Union finished the game with the lead it first built in the first half and reclaimed after halftime. The home side managed the final stages with patience and kept Abahani Limited from creating a late equalizer. The visitors made three substitutions after the break, with Faysal N.H. involved in the 46th minute, Afolabi S. in the 69th and Hossain S. in the 70th. Brothers Union made its lone change in the 82nd minute, when Hemel M. was involved. The home side then saw out the final minutes, though Sarkar S. was booked in the 88th and Abahani Limited’s Khan Y. was booked in the third minute of stoppage time.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Brothers Union 1, Abahani Limited 1. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Abahani Limited with a 78.4 percent probability to win. Abahani Limited had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -2. The total score of 3 went over the over/under line of 3.5.