Abahani finish third in Independence Cup
Title contenders Abahani had to be content with a third-place finish in the Independence Cup as the last edition's champions handed a convincing 4-1 defeat to Bangladesh Police FC at the Birshreshtha Shaheed Flight Lt. Matiur Rahman Stadium in Dhaka today.
Before Monday's final between Bashundhara Kings and Sheikh Russel KC in Cumilla, two losing semi-finalists Abahani and Police FC took to the field in the third-place decider, and two-time champions Abahani bounced back following a frustrating 3-2 defeat against former champions Sheikh Russel KC in semifinals.
Daniel Colindres of Costa Rica gave Abahani a four-minute lead, availing a cut-back from Eleta Kingsley. Mohammad Yousef then doubled the margin in the 39th minute as a free kick from Colindres was deflected inside the box and found the Syrian defender, who danced past two defenders before slotting it home.
Two minutes from the break, Police pulled one goal back with a header from Rasel Hossain and showed promising signs to equalise. However, Abahani took the match well beyond their reach from the final 15 minutes onwards.
In the 76th minute, Emon Babu netted into the far post with a left-footed drive from outside the box following a Nabib Newaj Jibon square-pass. With a comfortable two-goal cushion, an overhead chip by Colindres found Brazilian Getterson Alves Santos, who wrapped up the victory five minutes from time with an angular shot inside the box.
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