Chittagong Abahani qualified for the semi-finals along with Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club from Group A of the Independence Cup after a 1-1 draw at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Friday.
Nigerian forward Emeka Darlington put Jamal ahead in the 19th minute of the game before his compatriot Alison Udoka levelled the margin in the second half.With the result Jamal kept their pole position in the group with 13 points while Chittagong Abahani got 10 and Muktijoddha, who were narrowly eliminated, finished with nine.
It was Chittagong’s Haitian forward Leonel Saint Preux, who initiated the first chance of the game in the 13th minute.
Leonel surged into the penalty area only to blast the ball over the crossbar.
Jamal responded six minutes later with a penalty from Emeka after he was brought down by Chittagong Abahani keeper Ashraful Islam Rana inside the box.
Chittagong Abahani tried to stage a comeback in the second half and their first close attempt came in the 67th minute.
Preux tried his luck when he curved a shot from the left corner of the box but Jamal keeper Maksudur Rahman made a superb save for a corner.
In the 74th minute, Udoka appeared as rescuer for Chittagong Abahani when his glancing header following a free-kick of Moroccan midfielder Tarik El Janaby gave no chance to Jamal keeper Maksudur.
Today Abahani Limited will face Group B leaders Sheikh Russell Krira Chakra to confirm their place in the semifinals.
Abahani earned six points from four matches to be placed third behind BJMC, who have seven points from five matches. A draw would be enough for the Sky Blues to seal a semi-final berth.
RESULT
Chittagong Abahani 1 (Alison Udoka 74) v Sheikh Jamal DC 1 (Emeka Darlington 19-P)
-With New Age input
