ABPL 2022 finally started on May 15th as some soccer enthusiasts from Austin’s BD Community took the giant step of starting the first ever soccer league for Austin’s Bangladeshi amateur soccer players. Four teams taking part in the 2022 league – Austin Arsenal (/North Austin), United South Austin, Leander Bandits and RRP FC (Round Rock – Pflugerville FC). The teams will play against each other three times as there will be a total of 18 games (with each team playing 9 games)
On the first day of April 15th, Austin Arsenal secured a 2-2 draw against RRP FC as Arsenal’s team captain Manar scored a last-minute equalizer after his curved shot entered the post hitting oppositions’ defense. Earlier in the game, AA went up 1-0 after a long-ranged power volley from Mir defeated keeper Munir. But for Round Rock, it was Riyan who scored both the goals from two long distance shots on both halves of the game as RRP FC was comfortably leading 2-1 in the second half. AA’s keeper Abu Sohel made some superb save in the game and deprived Riyan and others to score more goals.
Final Score: Austin Arsenal 2 (Mir, Manar) – RRP FC 2 (Riyan-2)
On the other game of Day 1, United South Austin (USA) defeated Leander Bandits by 3-0 even though Bandits played with two of Austin’s star players – Anuj and Abu Masud (on loan from Austin Arsenal). In addition, Leander had one of Austin’s legendary player/goalkeeper Syed Rana who played very well and made couple of good saves for his team. Team USA came with their full force – in defense, they Oli, Zahedul, in midfield, Polin and Sami and on forward, they had Sahil, Sabik and Rizwan jr. Overall, they were too much for Bandits, who didn’t have all their players on the game day and had to take two players from Austin Arsenal.
Final Score: United South Austin – 3 (Sahil, Sabik & Shaheen) – Leander Bandits – 0
On Day 2, Austin Arsenal team had a memorable victory over United South Austin at Small Middle School field where the south team was the host. Team USA was very confident after their first win (/away victory) over Leander Bandits on the previous week and they had all their star players available for this game. However, it was the Austin Arsenal team with their new and young players who fought too hard to achieve this victory. On defense, it was two new players – Shouvik and Mukim who destroyed the lethal attacks from Sahil, Sami, Sadi and Polin. Captain Manar played in defense and used his experience to foil opposition’s attack. Maher gave the visitors an unexpected lead with a superb long range curly shot. In the second half Abu Masud made it 2-0 after he got a brilliant pass from Mridul and scored with a powerful low strike. Zahedul scored an equalizer for USA few minutes before the game ended.
Final Score: Austin Arsenal 2 (Maher, Abu Masud) – United South Austin 1 (Zahedul)
At Williamson County Soccer field, RRP FC and Leander Bandits played a sublime game as RRP FC didn’t have enough players to form a team and had to take couple of players from LB to form their first eleven. Bandits won the game 7-3.
Final Score: Leander Bandits 7 (Sabbir-2, Ayman-2, Raihan, Anuj, Deedar) – RRP FC 3 (Farhan, Utsho, Hasib)
