Eight-time champions Abahani Limited progressed to the last four of the Federation Cup after overcoming Feni Soccer Club 2-0 in the second quarterfinal at the
Bangabandhu National Stadium on Saturday.
A spot-kick from Atiqur Rahman Meshu and Ghanaian striker Osei Morison’s last-minute goal ensured Abahani’s passage to the semifinal. The Sky Blues will face Sheikh
Jamal Dhanmondi Club in the first semifinal on December 4.
Abahani though failed to replicate their previous performance against rivals Mohammedan Sporting Club in the group stage which brought a 2-0 win for the former.
The Sky Blues badly missed the services of national footballer Wali Faisal, the veteran left back, who was not available for the match due to the death of his new-born
son last Thursday.
‘The lads were mentally disturbed due to the death of their teammate’s new-born son,’ said Amalesh Sen after the match on Saturday.
‘We failed to take control in midfield and Brazilian striker De Castro did not fare all that well so we were lethargic with our performance,’ he added.
In the absence of Wali, Saikat Bhowmik got the nod to play from the beginning but failed to prove his credentials. Abahani also struggled to dictate play in midfield
so the forward line did not get enough assistance which showed in their insipid display.
On the contrary outsiders Feni Soccer Club played defensively from the outset and thwarted their more illustrious opponents from scoring, until the second half got
underway.
With the exception of a couple of gilt-edged chances, the first half was relatively subdued.
Right after resumption, Meshu put Abahani ahead in the 53rd minute by converting a spot-kick after Morison was felled in the box by Soccer Club midfielder Biddyut.
Abdul Baten Mazumder Komol almost doubled Abahani’s lead in the 72nd minute but he saw his lobbed shot cleared off the line by opposition defender Alauddin.
On-loan striker Morison made it 2-0 for his side in the second minute of time added on when he broke into the penalty area and placed the ball under the body of the
onrushing Soccer Club goalkeeper Nehal.
With this goal, Morison took his tally to five goals to become the joint-highest scorer of the Federation Cup alongside Sheikh Jamal’s Haitian playmaker Sony Norde.
Three-time winners Muktijoddha Sangsad will meet two-time champions Brothers Union in the third quarterfinal today at the same venue at 5:00pm. Bangladesh Television
will telecast the match live.
Result
Abahani Limited 2 (Meshu 53, Morison 90+2) v Soccer Club Feni 0
-With New Age input
