Abahani Limited got the better of rivals Mohammedan Sporting Club 2-0 and set themselves up for a relatively easy Federation Cup quarter-final after topping Group D at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Monday. The result sends Mohammedan into a tough quarter-final contest against Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club, who became Group A champions by beating Feni Soccer Club 1-0 in the day’s first match. Abahani will play Feni in their quarter-final match.
Overseas marksmen Brazilian De Castro and Ghanaian Osei Morrison struck in the vital win for Abahani, while Mohammedan’s local forward line failed to break the Abahani defence.
Mohammedan’s Zahid duo, who were the main architects of a 5-2 win in their opening match against Rahamatganj, were tightly-marked by Abahani’s defence.
De Castro put Abahani ahead in the 10th minute when Towhid’s left-footed free kick found him unmarked in front of goal and the Brazilian headed the ball inside the near post.
Abahani goalkeeper Shohel saved his team in the 16th minute when Zahid Hossain crossed a ball from the right flank but Ameli saw his effort fantastically cleared by Shohel.
Ameli provided a through-ball to Nigerian team-mate Chuka Charles in the 19th minute but his powerful shot was again saved by Shohel.
Towhid delivered another pinpoint cross into the box on 41 minutes, but Komol wasted the chance, heading the ball over the crossbar.
Shohel then failed to hold Hemanta Vincent’s shot from 16 yards just before half-time, but Samad Yussif cleared the rebound to keep it from reaching Charles.
Abahani had a golden opportunity to increase the lead in the 65th minute, as a blunder from Mohammedan defence sent Morrison on a clear run towards goal, but the hat-trick hero from the previous match took too much time before Mintu Sheikh recovered and cleared the ball.
But Mintu was the culprit as his side conceded another goal in the 75th minute. Morrison doubled the lead for Abahani when Towhid’s cross hit the woodwork and Mintu’s clearance fell to the feet of the Ghanaian, who calmly sent the ball into the net.
Meanwhile, Sheikh Jamal clinched the top spot of the group A with a 1-0 win over Feni Soccer Club in the day’s first match.
Haitian playmaker Sony Norde scored the only goal in the 17th minute of the match.
Sheikh Jamal failed to add to the score line due to missed opportunities by their forward line. The Dhanmondi-based outfit were also denied by the woodwork twice, in the 21st and 22nd minute, as Nigerian Emeka Darlington’s two attempts rebounded off the crossbar and the post.
Result
Abahani Limited 2 ( De Castro 10, Morison 76) Mohammedan SC 0
Sheikh Jamal DC 1 ( Sony Norde 17 ) Feni Soccer 0
-With New Age input
