Sheikh Jamal's two-goal scorer Assogba Allen (R) leads the sprint of elation just after Meshu (not in picture) converted the winning spot-kick in tiebreaker in their Federation Cup quarterfinal at the BNS yesterday. Photo: Amran Hossain

Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club ousted holders Abahani to move into the semifinals of the Grameenphone Federation Cup with a 4-3 win in sudden death tiebreaker in the third quarterfinal at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.
The regulation and extra time of the pulsating quarterfinal produced a 2-2 draw after Abahani came from behind twice to level the margin but the Sky Blues failed to hold their nerve in the dramatic shootout where both sides converted their first three shots before the last two shots failed to find the destination. The match rolled into sudden death where Abahani captain Samad Yussif's feeble attempt was easily stopped by Sheikh Jamal keeper Aminul Haque before Atiqur Rahman Meshu converted his shot to send the Sheikh Jamal players in rapture.
Abahani's departure means the Federation Cup final will feature neither Abahani nor Mohammedan for the third time since its inception in 1980. The finals of the 2001 edition (Muktijoddha vs Arambagh KS) and the 2005 edition (Brothers Union vs Muktijoddha Sangsad) also missed the two most-supported clubs.
Abahani fielded their best possible side with the return of Nigerian striker Lucky Paul, left-back Wali Faisal, right-back Nasirul Islam and midfielder Arman Aziz to the fold while Zahid Hossain added strength to the right flank with his speedy run after making return to the playing eleven following a three-match suspension.
However, Abahani initially struggled to find their feet, but gradually took control of the midfield to launch few unfruitful attacks. However, against the run of play, Sheikh Jamal took the lead on the half-hour mark through Nigerian hitman Assogba Allen, courtesy of a deflected shot as he nodded in a Femi Orunimi cross from the left.
Abahani hit back in the 40th minute when Zahid drove home from close range after Twum Frank's header came off the crossbar. But Sheikh Jamal again restored the lead four minutes later through Allen from a goal-mouth melee.
After the breather, Abahani pressed hard for an equaliser and again levelled the margin through Awudu Ibrahim in the 51st minute. The source of the goal was Frank who danced past two Sheikh Jamal defenders to cut the ball back for unmarked Ibrahim who had all the time in the world to place the ball at the back of the net.
Afterwards, it was Abahani who found more opportunities to score but their forwards -- Lucky Paul, Zahid and Frank -- squandered three chances to snatch the winner.
There were no remarkable attacks in the extra time as both teams looked tired and the game rolled into tiebreaker where Meshu's spot-kick ensured victory for Sheikh Jamal.
Last year's Federation Cup runners-up Sheikh Jamal will take on the winners between Sheikh Russel KC and Arambagh KS in the second semifinal on Saturday.