Abahani Limited came from behind to seal their semi-final berth of the Federation Cup when they beat Brothers Union 2-1 in controversial manner in the third quarter-final at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Sunday. National forward Jewel Rana and his Nigerian attacking partner Sunday Chizoba scored one goal each in the second half of the game for Abahani after Haitian forward Augustine Walson gave Brothers a lead in the 35th minute.
But the deciding goal was scored in controversial manner as in 81st minute Sunday’s header following a cross of Lee Tuck hit the woodwork before bouncing it in the goalline. Brothers’ defender Abbas Inussah claimed to clear the ball immediately before it crossed the goalline but assistant referee instructed it as goal that eventually became the decider.
Following the incident the match was stopped for six minutes amid the protest of Brothers’ players.
Abahani went close to score in the second minute into when Nabib Newaz Ziban header in a free-kick of Lee was punched away by Brothers keeper Uttam Barua.
Lee wasted a great chance in the 15th minute when the English midfielder deposited the ball straight to the keeper Uttam in a one-to-one position.
Bothers also missed a couple of chances
Abahani defender Wali Faisal produced a goal-line save in the 24th minute when he blocked Augustin Walson’s shot from the edge of the box.
Mannaf Rubaby failed to put Brothers ahead in the 30th minute when he failed to meet a Walson’s cross from left flank.
Walson finally broke the deadlock in the 35th minute when the Haitian striker fired home with a volley after Nigerian Nkwocha Kingsley chested down a cross of Shofiqul Islam Shofi.
Jewel Rana levelled the margin in the 69th minute when his left-footed drive from inside the box beat Uttam, after Ziban headed down a corner of Lee.
Abahani will play with Sheikh Russell Krira Chakra in the second semi-final on June 24.
RESULT
Abahani 2 (Jewel Rana 69, Sunday Chizoba 81) v Brothers Union 1 (Augustine Walson 35)
-With New Age input
