Mohammedan Sporting Club clinched their maiden Bangladesh Premier League title after arch-rivals Abahani lost 2-1 to 10-man Fortis FC in their return leg tie at the Shaheed Dhirendranath Dutta Stadium in Cumilla on Saturday.
Mohammedan, who had previously finished as runners-up on four occasions since the inception of BPL in 2007, secured the title with three matches to spare.
The Motijheel-based outfit last won the country鈥檚 top-tier football league, then the Dhaka Premier Division League, 23 years ago in 2002.
This is the club鈥檚 20th top-tier league title, more than any other team in domestic football, since it was founded in 1936.
This was Mohammedan鈥檚 second domestic title in three years since Alfaz Ahmed took charge of the Black and White outfits in March 2023. Under Alfaz鈥檚 tutelage, Mohammedan earlier won the Federation Cup in May 2023 by beating Abahani 4-2 in tie-breaker.
Mohammedan became the fifth team to win the BPL after six-time champions Abahani, five-time winners Bashundhara Kings, three-time champions Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club and one-time champions Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra.
As the 15th round of the 10-team league ended on Saturday, Mohammedan collected 38 points, 10 points clear ahead of Abahani and 13 points ahead of the last edition鈥檚 champions, Bashundhara Kings.
In the day鈥檚 play, Abahani went to break one goal down after Fortis FC鈥檚 Gambian forward Pa Omar Babou converted a spot-kick in the 39th minute.
Despite being reduced to 10-man as defender Monjurur Rahman Manik was sent off with a straight red card, Fortis FC extended the lead in the 75th minute through midfielder Sajed Hasan Jummon.
Abahani reduced the margin 10 minutes from the stipulated time when defender Yasin Khan headed the ball into the net following a corner by Brazilian midfielder Raphael Augusto.
Fortis FC, who played a goalless draw against Abahani in the first leg, are currently placed sixth in the table with 22 points.
In the day鈥檚 other match, Rahmatganj Muslim Friends Society beat Dhaka Wanderers 2-1 at the Shaheed Barkat Stadium in Gazipur.
