Abahani held to goalless draw, Fortis off to flying start as BFL begins

Abahani Limited played a goalless draw against Public Works Department (PWD) SC in Manikganj, while Fortis FC thrashed debutants Chattogram City FC 6-0 in Dhaka on the opening day of the new season of the Bangladesh Football League (BFL) on Friday.

Elsewhere, newcomers Dhaka City Club beat Brothers Union 3-0 in Gopalganj, while Fakirerpool Young Men's Club edged Dhaka Wanderers 2-1 in Chandpur.

Bangladesh Police FC defeated Rahmatganj 1-0 in Gazipur to complete the day's results.

Abahani, fielding an all-local side as their foreign recruits had yet to arrive, could not break through PWD's defence despite repeated attempts.

PWD also had chances but failed to convert, fielding one Cameroonian and one German player in their line-up.

Experienced defender Yasin Khan, handed the captaincy this season, endured a difficult start to his new role.

Against Fortis at the Bashundhara Kings Arena, Chattogram City, playing their first top-flight match after just one training session, showed some resistance in the first half before collapsing in the second.

Their opponents had been preparing for two and a half months, having started training early for the AFC Challenge League.