Abahani Limited suffered a shocking 0-1 defeat to newly promoted Premier League outfit Arambagh Krira Sangha as the 27th edition of the Federation Cup got underway on Saturday.
Arambagh took the lead in the 25th minute when their Nigerian striker Kester Akon evaded past two defenders and passed the ball to forward Mohammad Abdullah, who nicely sent the ball into the near post.
The misery of Abahani increased in the 70th minute when defender Ariful Islam received two yellow cards within five minutes and was sent off.
In the first match of the day, Mohammedan Sporting Club played out a 2-2 draw against Rahamatganj Muslim Friends Society at the same venue.
Congolese forward Siyo Zunapio scored a brace for Rahamatganj while Guinean forward Ismail Bangoura and Shahadat Hossain Shahed scored one goal apiece for Mohammedan.
Both the sides struggled with the hot weather as the match started at 4:00pm under the scorching sun at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.
Rahmatganj took a surprising lead with just four minutes into the clock when Zunapio found the back of the net following a nice through pass from national forward Syed Rashed Turzo.
Mohammedan attackers struggled to keep their shots on target as three of their chances ended up shooting over the bar.
Young forward Shahed could equalise for Mohammedan at the half-hour mark but his strike from the edge of the box hit the woodwork.
Bangoura scored the equaliser in the 63rd minute when the Guinean smashed home from six yards on a rebound after Masuk Miah Jony’s initial shot was punched away by Rahamatganj keeper Al Amin.
Mohammedan took the lead five minutes later when Bangoura set Shahed free with a nice back-heel and the latter placed the ball home.
However, the lead sustained only 12 minutes when Zunapiyo found his second of the day with a brilliant placing from the box on a though pass from Faysal Ahmed.
-With New Age input
