Sk Russel through, Abahani hanging

Feni Soccer Club forward Aminur Rahman Sajib (L) runs for joy after scoring a stoppage time equaliser with a 30-yard scorcher against Abahani during their Super Cup encounter at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday. Photo: star

Treble-winners Sheikh Russel became the first team to qualify for the semifinals of the Super Cup after a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Muktijoddha Sangsad KC while defending champions Abahani risked elimination as they were held 2-2 by lowly Feni Soccer Club at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.
The latest victory for Sheikh Russel, coupled with their 2-0 win on Friday against Feni, put them atop Group B with six points, followed by Abahani on two points, and Muktijoddha and Feni on one point each.
To avoid elimination from the group-stage like Federation Cup and Independence Cup, holders Abahani must win against Sheikh Russel on Tuesday, given that the Muktijoddha-Feni match produces an outright result. Draw in both matches will see Abahani through while a loss for Abahani and an outright result in the other match will see the winners of the other match qualify.
Sheikh Russel have won a number of games this season coming from behind, including the two famous final wins -- in the Federation Cup and Independecne Cup -- and it was the same case yesterday as they scored two goals after Rokonuzzaman Kanchan had given Muktijoddha the lead in the 53rd minute, heading in a corner. Sheikh Russsel restored parity five minutes after going down when national winger Zahid Hossain raced past a couple of defenders to beat the keeper with a measured strike from outside the box.
Anwar Hossain sealed the fate of the match in the 86th minute, heading in from goalmouth after a corner from Mamunul Islam was headed back to his was by Zahid. There was still time for Muktijoddha to salvage something from the game, but when in the stoppage time Muktijoddha midfielder Zahed Parvez's strike hit the woodwork, the match's fate was all but decided.
Earlier in the day, Abahani were held 2-2 by Feni despite dominating possession. The Sky Blues enjoyed lion's share of possession, but went down in the stoppage time of the first half conceding a penalty. Feni striker Aminur Rahman Sajib, arguably the best player on the pitch, was brought down by Abahani's veteran defender Mohammad Sujon as the striker was darting inside the box. Akbar Hossain Ridon stepped up and sent the Abahani keeper the wrong way, to give Feni a surprise 1-0 lead into the break.
After resumption, Abahani looked much better and put pressure on Feni defence which resulted in two goals within two minutes. Atiqur Rahman Meshu headed in a Saikat Bhoumick cross to level the margin in the 67th minute before Shahedul Alam gave the Sky Blues the lead with a curving shot from inside the box in the very next minute.
Meshu could have put the game beyond Feni from a penalty in the 81st minute, but his feeble attempt was easily saved by Feni keeper Masud Ahmed Ujjal. Abahani had to a pay heavy price for that miss as Sajib stunned the Dhanmondi outfit by scoring a stunning goal from 30 yards out in the first minute of injury time.