APL

De Spinghar Bazan convincingly defeated a frustrated De Abasin Sape with a final score 3-1 in an eventful match today at the AFF Stadium. Abasin's Mohammad Ahmadi opened the scoring with a precise header at the 7th minute of the game. Bazan didn't wait long to unleash their strikes at Abasin. But, they found it hard to advance past Abasin's solid defense line.

At the 20th minute mark, Bazan's first free kick from the right edge of Abasin's box went narrowly wide of the goal's crossbar. Bazan continued their attacks and was able to score an equalizer goal at the 35th minute mark with a strike from Fahim Afkar. They then scored a second goal at the 40th minute with an impressive assault from Shafaq Ayubi's on goal.

Almost at the start of the second half  Abasin was awarded a free kick. Totakhil took the kick but it was defended successfully by Bazan's goalie Zohib Aseel. Bazan continued to exhibit first class defense keeping the ball out of their area.

Tragedy struck Bazan at the 72nd minute, their center Mobeen Rasooly got a serious head injury that required him to be taken off the field by the medical team on hand. Fired up by Mobeen's injury, Bazan's third goal came in with Hamid Habibi's powerful strike at 80th minute mark.

Totakhil received this season's first red card after an attempted tackle at 82nd minute. The same incident resulted in a yellow card for Afkar. At end of the game Bazan came away with three more points. Now with four points in total and a three goal difference edge over Oqaban, Bazan now leads Group A standings.

Today's Man of the Match award went to Zohib Aseel for being the backbone of Bazan's impresive defense at today's game.

All of the group stage matches will start at 3:30 pm this season. The matches will broadcast live on TOLO TV, Lemar TV, Arman FM and Arakozai FM.  It will also be watchable on the RAPL YouTube page (www.youtube.com/afghanpremierleague).