Mamunul’s goal voted as Asia’s best

Abahani Limited’s midfielder Mamunul Islam’s goal against Manang Marshyangdi Club was adjudged as ‘Goal of the Week’ in a public vote in the ongoing AFC Cup, the Asian Football Confederation revealed on its official website on Friday.

the-afc.com sought the public choice in an open vote keeping four goals in the primary list.

There was a close fight between the goals scored by Mamunul, also Bangladesh national team booter, and Syrian footballer Mohammed Al Wakid.

Out of 15,520 votes, Mamunul’s goal was selected as best by 7,997 votes, 52 per cent of total votes while Mohammed Al Wakid’s goal got 7,190 votes, 46 per cent.

Tajikistan booter Dilshod Vasiev’s goal was chosen by 299 votes while India’s Samuel Lalmuanpuia’s goal got 34 votes.

“I’m very happy that the goal I scored was adjudged as ‘Goal of the Week’ in the AFC Cup. This proves that we too can score beautiful goals. Others (of the country) will also be encouraged to score better goals,” Mamunul said.

Mamunul scored the goal in the fifth minute of the injury time in the second half at Bangabandhu Stadium on 19 June. Abahani won the match by 5-0 goals.

Striker of Bangladesh national team and Abahani Sporting Club Habib Newaz said, “This selection of Mamun bhai’s goal as best in the AFC Cup will encourage us more. Hopefully, Bangladesh strikers will score more such goals in the coming days.”

This is not the only stunning goal the former captain of Bangladesh national football team scored.

In the 2014 Asian Games, Mamunul scored a goal against Afghanistan from around 35 yards away. AFC included that goal in the best three goals of the week.

Earlier in August of 1996, Bangladesh booter Alfaz Ahmed was adjudged as ‘Player of the Month’ of Asia.

He scored five goals for Mohammedan Sporting Club in two legs of Asian Cup Winners' Cup against Laos’ Electricity Club in that month.