Ashgabat through

Abahani down but not out
Ashgabat FC of Turkmenis-tan emerged as the champions of the AFC President’s Cup Group B after playing out a goalless draw with Dhaka Abahani at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Saturday.
The draw put Ashgabat level with Abahani on four points at the top but the Turkmenistan side won the group on the basis of a superior goal difference. Ashgabat had won 5-1 against Sri Lanka Army while Abahani defeated them 2-1.
Abahani are down but not out as they have a chance of moving into the semi-final as the best runners-up. The group fixtures of the AFC President’s Cup will be completed on June 16 and Abahani have to wait till then to know their fate.
Abahani dominated the first half as their opponents looked a little bit defensive and adopting a counter-attack based strategy. The visitors tried hard to penetrate but Abahani proved themselves as a compact unit. To stop the attacks of Abahani, led by Awudu Ibrahim, the visitors sometimes were too much physical.
Abahani were cautious about not giving any free spaces and conceding free-kicks near the danger area. Ashgabat forwards tried to sneak through the midfield but rarely succeeded.
Abahani also had their limitations as none of their attacks through the flanks was successful due to the strong defence line of Ashgabat.
Emily showed that he has still to regain his full fitness when he shot straight at Ashgabat goalkeeper Pavel Harchik from a through from Awudu Ibrahim.
Ashgabat cranked up the pressure and won two corners in the 22nd and 23rd minutes. Abahani keeper Biplob punched the curving effort from Hangeldiyev Guvanch to safety on the first occasion.
Abahani midfielder Zahed Parvez squandered another chance in the 36th minute as Awudu Ibrahim ran from the midfield and went past an advancing Pavel Harchik only to lose control of the ball.
Ashgabat forward Guvanch, watching Abahani keeper Biplob out of position, tried a floater from 25 yards in the 44th minute but Biplob managed to punch the ball to safety.
Both the teams lost their stamina in the hot and humid condition and the second half produced very few electric moments. Abahani defender Nazrul’s drive from 25 yards deflected off an Ashgabat defender but Pavel Harchik’s quick reflex enabled him to punch the ball for a corner.
Abahani were fortunate in the 87th minute when substitute midfielder Kurbanov Merdan curved a free-kick from the right flank and Wali Faisal’s header was moving towards his own net. Biplob punched the ball for a corner.
In the second minute of the four-minute added time substitute forward Tipu struck the side post from the six-yard box from a Mamun corner.
Ashgabat coach Boris Grigoryantis was ecstatic. ‘We clinched the group and we adopted a defensive approach for not losing the match, Abahani played well but we won the group,’ said Boris.
Abahani coach Amalesh Sen said: ‘We played well and tried our best but we did not score and let us down.’

Courtesy of NewAgebd