Abahani bump Biyanibazar

Dhaka Abahani underlined their title credentials with a convincing 4-1 win over Biyanibazar SC in the second semi-final of the Federation Cup at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Sunday and set up Tuesday’s final showdown with bitter rivals Mohammedan Sporting Club.
Abahani were stunned by an early goal but showed their character when it was needed most. The sky-blue outfit, who had been struggling from the very beginning and got into the semi-final with a penalty shoot-out win, finally found their feet and their attacking football just blew away their opponents. Having trailed by a goal until the 18th minute Abahani mounted tremendous pressure and netted three goals from the 19th to 25th minutes.
The facile victory will boost Abahani’s confidence and for the first time their midfield arrived as a real united force. Without reliable name Awudu Ibrahim and regular forward Robin Abahani managed to dominate the game. Midfielder Ujjal was in magnificent form and was the deserved man of the match as he had a hand in all the four goals his team scored.
Biyanibazar hoped to unsettle their opponents with a series of attacks and reaped the result in the initial minutes. But gradually Abahani grew in the confidence and once they established their dominance there were hardly any space for the Biyanibazar strikers.
Midfielder Hasan Imam Rikto stunned Abahani and also the five thousand odd spectators with a cracking volley from the edge of the box that hit the inside edge of the crosspiece and landed beyond the line. Abahani goalkeeper Biplob had rarely any time to react.
Abahani were not overwhelmed by the occasion rather they realised the need of teamwork. Midfielder Ujjal arrived as the lynchpin and Abahani tore apart the opponent defence with a series of attacks. In the 19th minute forward Enamul restored parity heading home a neat free-kick from Uzzal from the right flank.
Biyanibazar conceded the second before they could absorb the shock. Ghanaian midfielder Md Awal, who made his debut with the match, dashed down the left flank and sent a nice chip to Ujjal who just had to tap the ball home from close range.
Enamul would have made it 3-0 but he ruined all the hard work of Uzzal who ran about sixty yards and rounded three defenders before passing the ball to Enamul who shot straight at Biyanibazar keeper Sultan.
However, Sherrif Deem Mohammed struck the third in the 25th minute as the tall Ghanaian forward was able to head in an Uzzal corner.
In the 34th minute both Sherrif and Enamul missed the line of an Uzzal cut-back with virtually no one before them.
Abahani wrapped up the game in the 51st minute when midfielder Shahed floated a corner to Uzzal in the top of the box. Uzzal fired a low drive to Enamul who just flicked the ball at the near corner of the net.
The rest of the second half was a dull affair as the fate of the match was all but decided. While Abahani started to pass the time, Biyanibazar had no energy left.

Courtesy of NewAgebd