Abahani Limited bowed out of the AFC President’s Cup qualifying round for the fifth time after they were pipped 1-0 by Mongolian side Erchim FC in their final match of
Group A at the Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu on Saturday.
Having drawn their first two matches, Abahani were expected to win their last match at a canter against the weakest side in the group but the Sky Blue-outfit were unable to put in the desired performance expected of them.
Abahani needed a victory coming into this match in order to qualify for the final round of Asia’s third-tier club competition. Even a draw might have been enough to see them through provided the other results went their way.
Abahani were briefly dominating in the first half but could not avail one or two chances that came their way. They instead conceded the goal in the 58th minute against the run of play when goalkeeper Shahidul Islam failed to clear the ball from a counter-attack.
The Abahani players protested for an offside decision but the referee allowed the goal to stand. Abahani made a number of substitutions towards the end, however they could not grab the much-needed equalising goal.
Ghanaian playmaker Awudu Ibrahim was suspended due to two yellow cards which were dished out in the previous two matches. Abahani forward Shakhawat Hossain Rony missed a lot of chances to score the equaliser while Enamul failed to utilise the opportunity, presented to him by the team management, of featuring in the playing eleven.
Amalesh Sen, assistant coach of Abahani, put the blame on the strikers who were unable to register a single goal. He was also infuriated over some decisions of the referee.
‘Erchim’s goal was controversial as the striker was slightly offside. Our strikers should also hold themselves responsible for wasting three gilt-edged scoring chances,’ said Amalesh after the match on Saturday.
-With New Age input
