Abahani Limited began their AFC President’s Cup group – A qualifiers mission with a 1-1 draw against hosts Laxmi bank Three Star Club at the Dashrath Stadium, Kathmandu, Nepal on Tuesday.
Jagjeet Sreshtha put the Three Star Club ahead with a long range free kick in the 15th minute before Touhidul Alam brought the scoreline level seven minutes from the break.Shahidul Alam Sohel the Abahani’s goalkeeper made several saves which includes a penalty as Abahani escaped with a draw. Abahani also had their chances but their Ghanaian forward Awudu Ibrahim missed most of them.
Three Star Clubs were awarded the vital free kick when Ibrahim fouled Dodoz and Nepal national team star Jagjeet Shrestha made no mistake to curl it into the back of the net.
The Nepal side could have doubled their lead when striker Femi had a clear chance. But his shot was blocked by goalie Sohel.
Touhid brought Abahani back in the contest in the 38th minute capitalising on mistake of home side with a coolly taken placing shot. .
Abahani received a blow in the injury time of the first half when Abdul Batem Mazumder Komol of suffered a serious injury after a collision with Sabindra Shrestha. The midfielder had to leave the field immediately and was later taken to a hospital for treatment.
Jagjeet failed score from free kick in the 64th minute but was perhaps more regretful for wasting another chance that came to his way five minutes later. Three Star Club were awarded a penalty in the 69th minute when Prakash Budhatoki of hosts fouled inside the box.
Shoel saved the penalty to deny Jagjeet a brace with no other coming close to scoring further.
Meanwhile, in the day’s other match between Taiwan Power Company and Archim FC of Mongolia also ended with a goalless draw.
Abahani will face Taiwan Power Company on Thursday in their next match .
-With New Age input
