Abahani clinched the Super Cup title beating holders Mohammedan Sporting Club 3-2 in penalty shoot-out in the final at the Bangabandhu national stadium on Saturday.
Earlier, the stipulated 90 minutes of the game and 30 minutes extra time ended in a 2-2 tie thanks to Abahani’s Ghanaian striker Ntiny Twaunu Frank who restored parity scoring twice after his team were two goals down.
Mohammedan were reduced to 10 men in the 41st minute when their goalkeeper Mohammed Al Hasan was sent off for punching Frank.
Mohammedan coach Shafiqul Islam Manik said the dismissal of Hasan was the turning point otherwise the match was in their control.
Mohammedan started the match in a dominating fashion and they went 2-0 up with Sunday Chizoba and Touhidul Alam scoring one apiece.
Nigerian striker Sunday, who earlier slammed a hat-trick against Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club in the semi-final, headed home a Shariful Islam cross in the 23rd minute to give his side an early lead.
Touhid doubled the lead eight minutes later after Abahani goalie Sohel failed to clear Sharif’s angular shot and the ball fell into Touhid’s feet who tapped the ball in.
A jaw-dropping long-range effort from Frank reduced the margin for Abahani though the Dhanmondi-based side were still under pressure. Mohammedan defender Topu Barman made a headed clearance off an Abdullah Parvez corner-kick but unfortunately the ball went to an unmarked Frank who beat Mohammedan goalkeeper Hasan with a side-volley in the 35th minute.
Then came the moment when the match took a big turn and the scenario changed totally in Abhani’s favour. Hasan fumbled a free-kick from Abdullah and Frank put the ball into the Mohammedan net.
Referee Abdul Hannan Miron, however, disallowed the goal as Frank had pushed Hasan when gripping the ball but the keeper so enraged that he punched in Frank’s face only to see a red card.
Playing with a man less Mohammedan concentrated more on defence after replacing forward Touhid with goalkeeper Titumir Chowdhury, but they could not keep up their lead.
Frank received an Alfaz Ahmed cross near the six-yard box of the Mohammedan post in the 75th minute and easily tucked the ball home.
Mohammedan still continued to resist until the match went into penalty shoot-out. Cletus Blamo, Shakhawat Hossain Rony and Linkon scored for Abhani while Sunday and Abdul Hamid Bhasani netted for Mohammedan from the spot.
RESULTS
Mohammedan 2 (Sunday 23, Touhid 31) v Abahani 2 (Frank 35 & 75)
Abahani won by 3-2 in tie-breaker
-With New Age input
