A last-gasp Tshering Wangdi strike condemned Abahani Limited to a 1-0 defeat against Bhutan’s Ugyen Academy in the King’s Cup on Tuesday, leaving the four-time Bangladesh Premier League champions face a battle for a semi-final slot. Wangdi struck four minutes from time at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thumphu to surprise Abahani, who reportedly became the first Bangladeshi club to concede a defeat against a Bhutanese Club.
Fresh from a 1-0 win over the Assam Electricity Board in their first match, Abahani needed an outright win over a comparatively weaker Ugyen to improve their chances of semi-final.
Instead, they lost the game, which put them in a must win situation in their remaining two matches against holders Manang Manang Marshyangdi Club of Nepal and Indian I-League side Pune FC.
The Sky Blues brought only one change to their starting line-up that beat Assam Electricity Board with Atiqur Rahman Fahad replacing suspended Pranotosh Kumar but it could hardly improve their game.
Though Ugyen Academy had the early momentum, Abahani got the first clear chance in the 19th minute but Guinean hitman Ismael Bangoura wasted it by depositing the ball straight to opponent goalkeeper Hari Gurung,
Hari again frustrated Bangoura in the 29th minute to keep his side in the match.
Abahani kept creating chances but they were not lucky to break the deadlock as Ugyen Academy’s defender Mipham Chophel rescued his side from conceding the lead in the 41st minute.
Sonam Yoester saw his attempt floated over the Abahani post just before the break in a rare chance for Ugeyan.
A demoralised Abahani could not produce any chance in the second half and paid the price by conceding a goal in the 86th minute.
-With New Age input
