Title contenders Dhaka Abahani moved top of group A with a 2-0 win over Rahmatganj MFS while star-studded Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club stumbled into their second successive draw in the Grameenphone Federation Cup at the Kamalapur stadium on Wednesday.
Abahani earned four points while Sheikh Jamal and Sheikh Russell have two each and Rahmatganj one. Abahani play Sheikh Russell and Sheikh Jamal take on Rahmatganj in the last group matches on Friday which will determine the semi-finalists.
Abahani goalkeeper Zia saved his team from conceding a goal in the 11th minute denying Rahmatganj’s forward Idris Kasirye when the Ugandan had sneaked through the defence after receiving a through pass from Felix.
However, Abahani went in front in the 20th minute with midfielder Pranatosh breaking the deadlock. Frank Twum’s header from Imtiaz Sultan Jitu’s curling corner hit the crosspiece and the rebounder fell in front of onrushing Pranatosh who hit the back of the net with a gentle header.
Substitute midfielder Habibur Rahman Sohag sealed the fate of the match in the 63rd minute scoring the second goal with a curling free-kick from 25 metres. Ujjal deceived Rahmatganj keeper Iran Sheikh with a dummy run and Sohag slotted the ball home.
Down by two goals Rahmatganj lost their concentration allowing Abahani attackers a lot of free spaces. Abahani saw two of their goals from Twum and Alfaz overruled for offside in the dying minutes.
Sheikh Jamal v Sheikh Russell
Sheikh Russell dominated the first half and came close to scoring twice. Moroccan attacking duo Samir Omari and Abbas Inusah broke down the Jamal defence in the 16th minute and Omari was brought down on the edge of the box by defender Ariful. Omari curled the free-kick for Abbas but his header flew past the side post.
Jamal hit back with a
eries of attacks but Towhidul Alam Sabuj let the team down in the 24th minute after he found Russell goalkeeper Al-Amin at his mercy after a combined move but Sabuj shot straight at the keeper.
Russell again came close to a goal in the 32nd minute but Monaem Khan Raju’s bullet header from a Samir Omari cross missed the far post by a whisker.
Jamal came back strong after the interval and cornered their opponents with midfielder Shahed and winger Zahid stamping their authority in their respective zones. But Jamal attackers continued to falter at the opponent goal post. Zahid set Shahed free in the middle of the box in the 63rd minute but the young midfielder’s shot hit the crossbar much to the agony of the Jamal tent. A gentle push would have been enough to score past an out of position Al-Amin.
Midfielder Mishu’s 20 metre scorcher in the 78th minute proved the day did not belong to Jamal. Mishu saw his effort bounce back off the crossbar with Al-Amin beaten.
Frustration gripped Jamal players and they showed little interest in raising their game in the dying minutes.
