Having won the first ever National Football League title in 2000, the veteran coach delivered Abahani another first edition of a new tournament -- the B. League or the inaugural professional football league.

Abahani's 2-0 defeat of Sheikh Russel in both sides' penultimate match yesterday added another trophy to the showcase of the 11-time Premiership champions, who also won the right to represent Bangladesh in next year's AFC Cup.

The triumph also marked another rare feat for the Dhanmondi-based club, who lifted football-cricket-hockey league titles in the same season for the third time after 1974 and 1983.

Abahani's bid to end a six-year trophy drought, however, began under Argentine coach Diego Cruciani, who left shortly before the mid-season break in the competition.

They were top-of-the-table when Cruciani, also a former Bangladesh national coach, departed but the sky-blues slipped to third place at the end of the first leg following their only defeat in the league so far: a 2-1 upset by visiting Khulna Abahani, which eventually was the Argentinian's last match in charge.

"Cruciani shaped the team well. But he gave priority on having one of his three Argentine recruits up front. But (Hernan) Parodi could not deliver goals. In defence, (Mariano) Caporale was outstanding and probably the best foreign player we have had in recent times," said Amalesh after the triumph at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.

"We began to field more local players and the finishing got better after Cruciani, preferred a three-man attack. We switched to 4-4-2 to strengthen the midfield," said the former national midfielder, who began his coaching career in the late 70s as a playing member of the sky-blues.

Amalesh, who also had to take over from Russian coach Yuri in the middle of the 2001 Premiership on road to title, did a similar job this time using only one foreigner in the latter part of the league.

The three Argentines were unavailable in the second leg and the replacements were not good enough to compete with the locals, who got better match by match to stretch their unbeaten run to 11 games under Amalesh's guidance.

Despite winning a title after a long gap, Abahani's celebrations were repressed.

"We are happy but can't enjoy this success much as our Chief Patron (Sheikh Hasina) is in jail," said captain Arif Khan Joy, who had earlier announced his retirement from domestic football after this season for political ambition.

"Now I can't say my football career is over. I feel I can play a few more years. Give me some time to decide," said Joy adding that Cruciani should also get some credit for this glory.

"He laid the base of this team and the start was positive. Hard work by players and the management later carried us this far. I also want to dedicate this success to late Munna bhai who had been inspiration for us as player and manager.

"We were determined to finish the job today and the team played like real champions. Now we can play freely against Muktijoddha and want to sign of with another win.

"I believe Abahani deserved this. From the transfers to this day, the teamwork was excellent from top to bottom.

"Yes, I am getting emotional. The responsibility to lead the team to the country's first professional league was huge and I feel winning it is a different type of achievement in my career," added Joy who retired from international football as national team captain last year.

Even the indefatigable Ghanaian striker Awudu Ibrahim, who was the last foreign import standing for Abahani after desertion and poor form of the others, looked a tired man.

"I am excited to win my career's first championship. We worked very hard and from the start, the whole team had the feeling that we have to win this year. It has come true," told Ibrahim.

Team manager Satyajit Das Rupu, who has been looking after this team from the very beginning, said he worked full time with Amalesh after Cruciani's departure to motivate the players.

"But I want to give a message to two persons, who gave the instruction and support to build a strong team to retrieve our glory: our Chief Patron Sheikh Hasina and Abahani chairman Salman Rahman. Both are in jail now but their inspiration brought us this success," told the former national footballer.